The way forward is actually not so difficult - Michael Gonzi

Joe Xuereb

Mar 20th, 13:14

Re: my previous comment: 'Reminds me of the celebrated homosexual stand-up comedian......' I was, of course, referring to the inimitable Frankie Howerd. Some try to imitate him but fail miserably.

@John Paul(Yesterday, 23:45). Quote: 'an education and informed nation produces strong government.' As the electorate in the UK, for instance?! Never mind Malta.

John Paul

Mar 19th, 23:45

One who accepts defeat, also is granted victory. Transparency in government is an essential element of democracy. It allows the process to work with the integration and feedback of our citizens. Today, on Ms. Agius' show, I said something like, 'an education and informed nation produces strong government.' There is no head or tails to a coin, there is also the third side, keeping the balance.

Joe Xuereb

Mar 19th, 17:24

@Francis Saliba M.D.(Yesterday, 18:25). 'pray, pray and pray again' you say. Reminds me of the celebrated homosexual stand-up comedian and his 'nay, nay and thrice nay'. Sorry, couldn't resist!
The similarity between Michael and Lawrence is striking in more than looks it seems. Maybe he should become leader of PN then those who cannot stomach change of leadership can be spared the anguish.

Mario Vella

Mar 19th, 13:31

new leader??not so difficult..franco debono

N Chetcuti

Mar 19th, 10:32

... The hunter's issue Michael? Don't be so sure. When PL signed the agreement with the hunters we were going to vote PN again however one of us came with the brilliant idea of voting PL and blocking the candidates who favour hunting. Look what happened, the other Michael who was the brains behind the agreement will only be elected through by-election. We are a silent but powerful force.

M Portelli

Mar 19th, 07:44

"The divorce issue, gay right, ,the hunters issues, all these were craftily taken by Labour with open arms."
What's so crafty about taking on civil rights issues?Such a statement is a reflection of what has become intrinsically wrong with the PN.Dr Gonzi thinks that issues such as civil rights are 'micro issues' of small consequence in a European Democracy small wonder the PN got creamed!

J Borg

Mar 19th, 07:31

The divorce issue, gay right, ,the hunters issues - all these were craftily taken by Labour with open arms

A party that defends minority rights is crafty...& not a shelter for these minorities...way 2 go PN

PN kicked aside these minority groups...I would have voted PL 4 d 1st time even of PL had not rescued us...let alone when it did.

ivutajt bil qalb kontra PN ghal ewwel darba f'hajti (ex-pn)

Eric Psaila

Mar 19th, 06:58

Dr M Gonzi you are really in denial. With respect to AIRMALTA. No we were not happy with the golden hand shake that was forced on us. All we wanted was approval of advertising budgets on time. That would have been enough for us to keep the boat afloat. But no not even that. I was forced out because I were your thorn exposing inefficiencies.

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Mar 18th, 22:20

No one wants to mention the elephant in the room.
That the PN failed to come up with a plan to tackle illegal migration flooding our tiny isle.
They refused to do so and they paid the price.

Christina Pace

Mar 18th, 22:18

Does Michael Gonzi mean that the opposition does everything in its power to undermine any progress that the government will try to bring forward, and under his leadership?
Good analysis of the result but it is not just people's perception that needs to change but your own party's beliefs. It wasn't perceived that gay rights were ignored. It was a reality.

M BUHAGIAR

Mar 18th, 22:07

The way forward is......JOSEPH MUSCAT

Saviour Cachia

Mar 18th, 19:37

Hbieb illum ircevejna l-kont tad-dawl u l-ilma. biz-zalza. Tghid dawk tal-commission haduha u Gonzi ghadu b'kuxjenza safja jivvota bil-qalb bhalma ghamilna ahna ghal Malta taghna lkoll. Joseph kun ic-cirinew taghna u serrahna minn dan is-salib li ghaffeg tant familji u negozji.

Tonio Bone

Mar 18th, 19:31

ARRIVA, ARMS, BWSC, Honoraria, lack of accountability, lack of prioritisation as well as the inherent inability to keep cabinet bullies at bay and sulking backbenchers in their ranks was the downfall of the PN! The majority was not prepared to forgive these cock-ups and the apparent internal volatility of the party! Nothing was done to mitigate the woes of the common citizen!

Patrick Zammit

Mar 18th, 19:26

The way forward is not difficult at all, just don't do what GonziPN did.

Mark Depasquale

Mar 18th, 19:18

Biex inkompli ma dak li ghedt Franco ghamel zball kardinali ghall - mod kif attakka l - problema. Fis - sustanza madankollu kien totalment korrett. Jien nghid li dak il - partit li jarmi l - privilegg li ghandna f`malta jigifieri li l - politiku jkun qrib hafna tan - nies, dak il - partit dejjem jitlef.

Mark Depasquale

Mar 18th, 19:14

Iz - zmien wera li Franco kellu ragun f `dak li qal imma mhux bil - mod li agixxa. Li kont minfloku jien kont inkompli nigbed l - attenzjoni ta` LG anki bil - miktub biex imbaghad wara li johrog ir - rizultat elettorali nippublika kollox u ma narraqx li - karriera politika tieghi. Il - ferita hija fonda hafna. Ma narahiex impossibbli li Franco jerga jissieheb fil - PN. Naraha izda improbabbli.

Mark Depasquale

Mar 18th, 19:09

Fl - opinjoni umli tieghi kemm Lawrence Gonzi kif ukoll Franco Debono ghamlu 2 affarijiet kullwiehed ,wahda li kienet tajba u l - ohra mhux daqstant tajba. Gonzi mexxa l - ekonomija tal - pajjiz b`mod effikaci izda warrab il - kuntatt dirett mac - cittadin. Franco kien jigbed l - attenzjoni ta`dan lil LG imma fl - ahhar Franco sploda. Hareg b`mod aggressiv wisq. Ma ssaporthiex bizzejjed.

Martin Saliba

Mar 18th, 18:34

What led the people to give the PN government the boot was the perception of an incompetent government.
It wasnt a perception , but what could you say , he's your brother .

MEPA, he said, was a continuous topic of house visits. "An entity which I suspect adjusts its own rules and regulations every day." Your brother was the minister for MEPA , he took it away from pulicino , remember ?

alexander grech

Mar 18th, 17:37

Everything you mentioned was spot on but why you have spoken so Late?You've let so many people suffer and now you expect us to believe you now?I would like to add to your list the Dockyards who had been also given a lump sum to retire after making loads of debts.The fact is that businesses had to close due to exaggerated water & electricity bills,licences VAT and fines.But no lump sum to retire.

R. Azzopardi

Mar 18th, 17:27

I think, Joe Public failed to, or did not want to see the big picture any more. He just didn't care about it any more. The PN needs to realise that it no longer attracts only the aristocracy. It attracts a much wider variety of people from all walks of life who want to be spoken to in a language that they understand. It may be called il-lingwa tal-bigilla by some but it seems to comfort them.

John Azzopoardi

Mar 18th, 17:18

This story is right on.........Big projects were taken and the important projects like fixing local roads were not addressed. You must be close to the people.....Other issues are illegal migration.......This issue no one talks about but everyone you talk to is always talking about it. Our country has became burdened with thousands of illegal migrants in just under 10 year with no end in sight

c scudi

Mar 18th, 16:57

Well..well..What a refreshingly honest statement from such a distinct member of the PN Party. All the benefits he listed are true. I moved here 4 years ago just after the last election after a lifetime abroad and I certainly saw progress, a good standard of living and in comparison to other EU countries, low unemployment etc.
But as the Author says, the PN was seen by most people as corrupt .

Joseph Grech

Mar 18th, 16:53

In simpler terms, the PL realized who the majority of the electorate is...

R. Balzan

Mar 18th, 16:33

Most PN candidates repeated the same cliches over and over again until they started believing them themselves: Namely, "Finanzi fis-Sod", "20,000 new jobs in last 4 years", "the tourism sector was never better", "we have one of the best hospitals in Europe", "our education system is the best", "unemployment was never so low" etc etc. Pity the electorate took all of these with a pinch of salt.

Abe Sammut

Mar 18th, 16:33

wara kull hadd bravu gonzi wara li ivvota bil qalb li ghola il kontijiet tad dawl, ghax hekk hemm bzonn, nehha is sussidju tad dqiq u oghla il-hobz, ghax hekk hemm bzonn, oghla il gas ghax hekk hemm bzonn. Tliftu kull fiducja minghandi. Tibni is sabih ghad-dehra u tisraqni min taht. U jekk irahhas il kont tad-dawl joseph lilu nerga nivvota GHAX MINGHANDKOM QATT MA GHENTUNI 1CENT. Dejjem hadtuli!

Nazzareno Cortis

Mar 18th, 16:29

Malta has learned that party candidates must visit houses regularly not on the eve of elections!!
That's what PL candidates have been doing for the last 5 years!
Gonzi PN was very late when he realised and remembered to go in the people's kitchens!!
PN has a very difficult task to reconvince the electorate otherwise!!!
It seems PL's JM (only 39 years old)has a long 15/20 years reign ahead of him!!

Ms Xixi Caruana

Mar 18th, 16:22

Prosit Dr Gonzi, very well said. I, certainly am one of those ,willing to participate to make it happen. The PN has always been a huge blessing to the country and shall definetely, without a shadow of a doubt, be an even greater blessing in the very near future.
My most heartfelt thank you goes to Dr Fenech Adami and Dr Lawrence Gonzi who have defended our dignity and restored our identity.

ANTHONY PAVIA

Mar 18th, 16:19

Michael, "The way forwards is actually not so difficult", are you joking??

Henry S Pace

Mar 18th, 16:18

The Pl promised everything that came its way.

The first issue came on the table. The Fireworks factory.

will they respect the people at the far edge of Gozo and other areas?

Wait and see.

Joe Tabone

Mar 18th, 16:16

Its strange how some people first mention the huge PL victory but at the same time fear that PN can make it at the next elections. This is democracy and this is what Dr M Gonzi is stating. Honest and hardworking people like Dr Gonzi can certainly contribute to a PN comeback.

K Mallia

Mar 18th, 15:51

PN lost, Tort tal-lejber :)

A.Felix Busuttil

Mar 18th, 15:44

No wonder they never change !!!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony Grech

Mar 18th, 15:43

The way forward is GHAL GOL HAJT.... GASS DOWN...Remember?

Paul Borg

Mar 18th, 15:37

Dear Mchael, we spent so many years together at school and I know what a good character you are. Recently I lost my business due to the City gate project negative impact on the Hastings area , My son lost the University Stipend because he is studying to be a Vet abroad, no full scholarship and I wrote and spoke to 3 Ministers and nothing materialised and nobody really care. You get an sms with OK

Ms.D. Galea

Mar 18th, 15:33

What next? Blame the civil servants for the electoral result?

Mr C Galea

Mar 18th, 15:26

Re M Gonzi comment"The way forwards is actually not so difficult"
So cocky it not even funny?

Perhaps it even might verge on arrogance?

Mr C Galea

Mar 18th, 15:24

Dear MP Michael Gonzi
You do not amuse me. How clever is it to say what you say after the party ignored what the people wanted? One is always clever after a loss but thank god there is a penalty for it. May your party remain as the opposition for a long time as 'The Klikka" deserve it. It was all your own doing. Another thing that was wrong is the your party always mixed religion with politics.

Joseph Grech Attard

Mar 18th, 15:22

Michael you have argued well. Put all the positive & negative things in a balance & the negative things will outweigh by far - & all this despite over 6 billion euro in debt. So a good 'mea culpa' by Nationalists of goodwill shall surely augur well for re-structring. Besides, one huge mistake that was done, is not to have taken heed of Franco Debono. He meant well for Party AND country. Good luck.

Noel Cuschieri

Mar 18th, 15:20

It's funny! Some people in the PN are like reinventing the wheel: they are now "trying" to tell us what was the cause of their defeat!! Others, like Michael Gonzi, instead of being happy that the Maltese nation is now being governed by the party of its choice, are now regretting the fact that THEY (the Nationalists) were NOT elected to govern this country! As if the PN is the centre of the world!

R. Cilia

Mar 18th, 15:10

The fact that Dr.Michael Gonzi has attributed 'micro factors' as the cause of the PN's heavy electoral defeat shows that LG and MG are birds of a feather.....

Michael Campbell

Mar 18th, 15:08

Always had great respect for the guy. He is level headed, humble, kind, accessible. He has all the elements of a Nazzjonalist, in the traditional sense of the word. He has a true social spirit - see him work in hospital to see for yourself.
He hit the nail on the head.
True, the PN did a lot. A LOT, but you expect that and more from the government.
AG though, was the Achilles' Heel of the PN

J Micallef

Mar 18th, 15:03

...and the unwanted Valletta City Gate project....

Austin Grech

Mar 18th, 14:53

the way forward has been done Mr Gonzi. It was 37000 votes forward.

Joe Tabone

Mar 18th, 14:46

Well said Dr Michael Gonzi, lets restructure and regenerate. The first test are the MEP elections next year - the PN always contests to WIN!

Michael Sammut

Mar 18th, 14:45

A government in denial, and now a party in denial. The only important thing is the feel good factor. Keep it up boys. And we will keep away from the party. Responsible government is anything but what we have seen over the past five years. Ignore that.

William Caligari

Mar 18th, 14:41

Dr. Michael Gonzi, qed tinsa haga wahda, u, din aktar importanti,
fadal 5 snin li jigu 1825 jum, fejn ga qed juri li Joseph Muscat il-
prim ministru huwa "gurdien xih" fejn jaf il-ways and means, kemm
tal-pn kif ukoll jinsab qrib il-poplu, ghall-kuntrarju ta' huk.
Tinsiex jekk "veru' finanzi fis-sod!!!!!

Anthony Paris

Mar 18th, 14:40

Waiting lists at Mater Dei, widespread corruption, failed public transport system, divorce, gay rights, broken promises to Air Malta and Dockyard and Go workers, etc. If Michael Gonzi thinks these are details, it is no wonder the PN lost out so badly. These were real issues not perceptions. The only perception is from the PN side in thinking they created 20000 jobs.

Jonathan Deeley

Mar 18th, 14:38

The Nationalists find themselves in the same position as the British Conservatives back in 1997 when they lost a landslide election to Blair's Labour Party. The PN needs to reinvent and reconnect - I believe that the easiest way in which to do this is a swift, dramatic exorcism with their recent past. On a separate issue, I hope the Labour victory in Malta is more successful than Blair's shambles.

Andrew John Mercieca

Mar 18th, 14:36

Agree with mg, though it is a shame that the most important issues were ignored by the electorate. Only time will tell who was right.

David Griscti

Mar 18th, 14:24

The PN will rise again if it allows civil society back to the heart of
the Party. Civil society abandoned the Party after being snubbed
for several years. What goes around comes around. But this is the
Party that believes in the potential of each and every individual,
which is why it fought tooth and nail for independence, democracy
and our EU membership. It now needs to believe in itself.

Vince Piscopo

Mar 18th, 14:23

You need time to change and regain trust and believe me with such a track record it will be difficult and would require a substantial amount of time to trust PN again. On the other hand PL has a strong cabinet that will deliver, a strong leader which is admired by a strong magority; so yes it will be difficult.

Vince Piscopo

Mar 18th, 14:23

You need time to change and regain trust and believe me with such a track record it will be difficult and would require a substantial amount of time to trust PN again. On the other hand PL has a strong cabinet that will deliver, a strong leader which is admired by a strong majority; so yes it will be difficult.

A Abela

Mar 18th, 14:21

"We need to change to get rid of the bad perception" Perception? You are all in denial.

Victor Calleja

Mar 18th, 14:21

If you knew all this Dr. Michael, why did you not tell your brother to change direction? Or he is so stubborn that his pride did not let him?

Franco Attard Trevisan

Mar 18th, 14:16

"The way forwards is actually not so difficult"

well since it's so not difficult why was nothing done about it for over 5 years??

anthony sultana

Mar 18th, 14:14

BEAR IN MIND, that the real opposition is the public itself not the politicians.The Maltese people are well educated now. So Mr. Gonzi watch the people rule our country and not the politicians.

Paul Meilak

Mar 18th, 14:11

Il-vapur affaccja maltemp kbir...u peress li kien ilu jintuza gie aktar affettwat. Service tajjeb u nimxu.

Roderick Micallef

Mar 18th, 14:04

2 points from my end :-

1. You call 37,000 votes 'micro factors' ? I call winning the election with 1500 votes 'micro victory'

2. If the way forward for the PN isn't that difficult why didn't the PN win the election?

Good day to everyone (what's left of it really)

E Schembri

Mar 18th, 14:04

Finally, somebody who truly understands why I did not vote PN this time.

Just to correct Dr.Gonzi, the perception of people is based on true facts and events, and not simple a mis-perception.

So, you not only have to get rid of the perception but also of the people that have given your party this bad name!!!

Joseph Borg

Mar 18th, 14:03

Le Michael mhux dawk biss huma ir ragunijiet. Dr Gonzi kien jaf bihom sewwa, pero iddeciedaa li jhalli kollox ghaddej ghax haseb li l-poplu ghadu injorant. Min jiehu kollox for granted jiddispjacih bil kbir illum ghax il poplu sar matur.

Lawrence Fenech

Mar 18th, 13:49

You sound like your brother's old record we heard for 8 years!

Victor Ross

Mar 18th, 13:49

anymore. The party has been in a similar position in 1971 after the electoral defeat of that year and suceeded to rebuild a strong party whilst in opposition as I am sure it will do again this time round.

Mrs Louise Calleja

Mar 18th, 13:49

Hear hear Dr Gonzi. Our much respected previous Prime Minister gave supreme results overall but, as you say, the middle management was missing and unfortunately that is what the man in the street cares about most - stupidly or otherwise. But the PN will rise from the ashes like a phoenix, stronger than ever before.

Victor Ross

Mar 18th, 13:47

Dr.Michael Gonzi that it is not so difficult. It smacks of arrogance to me and the task ahead is a daunting one. It is true that the party has several resourses but what is needed is a general overhaul and not just a refurbushment as Mr.Clyde Puli suggested on a TVM programme.The party has to reinvent itself and starts looking at the future and forget the 80s...people are just not interested

cesco di luigi

Mar 18th, 13:44

Dr Gonzi's continuous use of the word "perception" implies that people were mistaken about what actually went on. The PN has to first accept that this was no perception but the TRUTH: there was a clique, injustices, a good number of blue-eyed boys, incompetent ministers, manipulation of PBS, corruption & sleaze. It was PN perception that these did not occur that lost it the election 4 years ago.

Victor Ross

Mar 18th, 13:43

Dr. Fenech Adami 's Nationalist Party was returned in 1998 and in 2003 now under Dr. Gonzi who repeated the feat in 2008 only to loose to Dr. Joseph Muscat in 2013. This clearly shows that by and large both parties seem to loose their popularity after a two term in office. Things, however, are a bit different this time round because the disparity is astronomical and that is where I do not agree

Mr Ernest Vella

Mar 18th, 13:40

Ma naqbilx li l-issue tad-divorzju kien falliment...il-valuri ma jinbieghu bl-ebda prezz.

Alex Buds

Mar 18th, 13:39

Realistically it is likely to be quite difficult. With a loss by such a wide margin, it will probably take more than one PL term in office to see a reversal.

Joe Xuereb

Mar 18th, 13:39

Ex-MP's brother(surprise me!) ignores that people now see through 'bread & circuses' ploys. The electorate have come of age because in this techno. era I can, at a stroke, tell people that the 'theatre project's a shambles serving only those who serve themselves'. Unless Michael & his brother humbly see this, they'll be crying over spilt milk until the next election. & the one after that.

Dion Borg

Mar 18th, 13:38

Try telling this to your "brother"..bit too late now,but the way and the "arrogance" of GonziPn brought them all the elections result..big fiasco was Simon and not easy as Michael is saying to rebuild PN..especially with old faces..!!

Victor Ross

Mar 18th, 13:37

lost the people's confidence and the majority vote in 1981. He stayed on because constitutionally he was right but morally he was not. So striclty speaking Don Mintoff's popularity lasted only two terms. Came 1987 and Dr.Eddie Fenech Adamin was voted in power as he was also in 1991 only to loose in 1996 to Dr.Alfed's Sant. Again a two term legacy. Dr.Sant could not hold on beyond 1998 and

Lawrence Fenech

Mar 18th, 13:36

Not so difficult, try making all ex-ministers and secretarys and heads who looted all the departments return everyting back and pay for all the damaged to all teleconnections.

Only then Dr. Michael Gonzi can someone believe that you may be turning on to the right track.

I have been given to believe that you are Lawrence Gonzi's brother under whom all the departments fell.

Victor Ross

Mar 18th, 13:32

When one follows the trend of all the parliamentary legislatures dating as back as 1962 it was practically always a two term period. In 1962 Dr.George Borg Olivier won the elecetions and won it again in 1966 to be booted out in 1971 by Dom Mintoff's Labour Party. Mr.Mintoff won the 1971 and the 1976 elections but

Paul Cassar

Mar 18th, 13:29

WHAT WAS NOT SO DIFFICULT was convincing the people that it was gonzipn that was going straight into the wall EVEN THOUGH QUITE A NUMBER WERE COMPLETELY BLINDED AND DID NOT EVEN SEE THE CONCRETE BLOCK IN FRONT OF THEM..........................UNTIL THEY SMASHED INTO IT.

Giocchino Attard

Mar 18th, 13:24

Don't rush because next election is in 2018, that's a long time from now.

Joseph M. Grech.

Mar 18th, 13:20

I quite agree with this view. Yes it shouldn't be so difficult especially when all those disgruntled voters in this so called movement find out that not everything can be given to everyone.
The ball has already started rolling. All the talk about "dejn" u "Malta kaxxa falluta" has shown quite some good cracks when we now know that in 5 years the cabinet is going to cost at least 60million Euros.

Ronnie Callus

Mar 18th, 13:18

This is all what Franco Debono has many times told Dr.Gonzi and his colleagues, but you didn't give notice to him.Apart from this Dr.Gonzi shouldered other MP's responsabilities ( which is a pity) and also taught that he is infallabile and if he stops reigning our country the world is to stop spinning.Apart from this he didn't placed his ears to the ground as he said to do.

Anthony Paul Naudi

Mar 18th, 13:18

Nahseb li l- P.N. ilu is-snin jinghata messaggi cari minghand il-poplu, imma dan qatt ma ta kaz taghhom. Naqbel ma Dr. M. Gonzi li il-P.N. irid jinbidel ta'taht fuq u fuq kollox inehhi l-arroganza kollha li ghandu man-nies. Min ghola hafna dejjem ha tisbita enormi
Voters make you voters break you u dak ezattament li gara

T. Caruana

Mar 18th, 13:17

Thank you for telling me its only OUR PERCEPTION
there was no reality or fact behind it.

C Falzon

Mar 18th, 13:15

Bhal huk int!!!! Keep on dreaming!!! Enjoy!!!!

Charles Massa

Mar 18th, 13:15

Very well said Dr Gonzi. Good food for thought and it`s the only way forward indeed.

David Magro

Mar 18th, 13:15

Dottore, ghadek ma ndunajtx li zmien il-buzulotti spicca? Dahka ohra fil-wicc. Kun serju pls....

S.M. Cuschieri

Mar 18th, 13:13

i believe in what m.gonzi just stated. it was a wake up call but with some careful attention the pn will be back.

Ralph Mangion

Mar 18th, 13:10

Quite a list I might say for saying it's an easy way forward, PN HAS to really change it's views and many of it's re elected MPs for the electorate to start believing in them again and not to mention for Joseph Muscat and his government to start not delivering what was promised, something I personally find hard to believe in not happening.
Useless crying over spilt milk ........

Godwin Dalli

Mar 18th, 13:10

very well said Dr. Gonzi. The writing was on the wall. Dak li jigrilu min ma' jismax mill-ilmenti tal-popolin. isir arroganti. il-popolin jinteressah il-bread & butter. Nisperaw li dak li gara lill-PN ma'jigrix lill-PL

wenzu lanzon

Mar 18th, 13:08

perception is not the word, fact is the word

John Abela

Mar 18th, 13:07

Did you say Micro issues?
Oil Scandal
BWSC
ARMS
Arriva
Hospital waiting lists
Smart City
MCAST training tender
MEPA
500 Euro honoraria
VAT Scandal
Water and Electricity bills
RCC
DCG
AG - arrogance personified
Divorce
Broken promises
Corruption
Arrogance
Incompetence
A Cabinet of arrogant bullies
Dr Gonzi, surely you are joking?
I am so glad I voted Labour.
We will now get our country back.

Joseph Micallef

Mar 18th, 13:01

I tend to agree actually. It seemed to me that Labour was going to win anyway, by default, whatever the PL or PN said in the electoral campaign - it was already set in the people's minds. And this due to the continuous harping from the PL on corruption and mis-management ...things which stuck and gave the perception that it was the reality.

Adriano Spiteri

Mar 18th, 12:57

No mention of illegal immgration
Dr Busuttil's failed idea of "burden sharing" led to a huge loss for the so-called "Nationalist" party
It was Dr Busuttil who authored the GonziPN manifesto. It was evidently pro burden-sharing.
While I expect Dr Busuttil to refrain from contesting leadership, I turn to Nationalists and demand them to change direction. A true Nationalist cannot be pro-immigration.

Doreen Attard

Mar 18th, 12:57

The way forward is actually not so difficult, Dr Michael Gonzi?You must be living in the stars.Even if you take the things you yourself mentioned that are needed to revamp the party you should realize that it's a difficult job.Each negative thing that happened during the last five years you call a perception. Can't believe that this is coming from an intelligent person like you - you're so biased

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Mar 18th, 12:52

Dr Gonzi, the way forward is extremely difficult for the PN because it is an arrogant party that listens to no one except the klikka. Look at the reaction by some ex ministers to the vandalism in the ministries - as usual, they are not to blame and even imply that the new ministers are lying. Even after the huge beating at the polls, they remain arrogant.

Karl Abela

Mar 18th, 12:51

There is a general consensus that the change in government is attributed to petty mistakes made by the PN administration and not by Labour’s merit of earning itself a victory.

I am thus led to believe that the country did not actually vote in favour of Labour, but voted against PN.

Does this mean that we have a government that only the minority wants?

f. agius

Mar 18th, 12:51

Re-Air Malta,. ''............... on the contrary some were given a generous lump sum of money and managed to open up business - ...........''
Kompli itfa l-melh fuq il-ferita, halli narawkom isbah milli rajnikom.

Alan Grech

Mar 18th, 12:49

Perception of corruption? hehe come on, grow up.

Joe Garabaldi

Mar 18th, 12:48

The author of this piece is simply either in denial, or trying to cover up for his brother. This was no perception. People were utterly scunnered by the PN in government, an incompetent lot who only served their own, and by that, I mean the inner circle. An arrogant gang of nobodys who thought they were important just because they were installed as misfits in places which never belonged to them

Victor Vassallo

Mar 18th, 12:46

Dear Dr. Gonzi, the heading says: The way forward is not too difficult. Well I dare rephrase it: The way forward could be better, if those looking in the mirror stop applauding themselves.
Those four or five who lately did all the talking, no one believed them and the less they chatter and call us cwiec the better is for the party.
The last paragraph say it all, we need a new slate with new faces.

antonio zerafa

Mar 18th, 12:44

Cute ..... what a smart man they had in the backbench,,,, very smart.... keep up the good work mr gonzi.... did you ever tell your brother these before the landslide????? Cute guy indeed !

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 18th, 12:41

Beg to disagree. It wasn't the perception of an incompetent government.
It was a reaction against a government besotted with its undoubted superior competence on the international stage but uncaring about the laments of grass roots faithful Nationalist left at the mercy of a pinkish/reddish civil service that was allowed full rein as long as the NP leadership, & friends were accommodated.

J. Grech

Mar 18th, 12:40

Part 2: Complaints to Ministries only resulted in feeble excuses like 'because we don't have control over this authority or that council or that department' etc.

Kurt Magro

Mar 18th, 12:39

Mario De Marco , Chris Said , Pierre Portelli ... The Perfect trio ! ... with Simon in the helm we lose agian , this time by 50,000 !

George Calleja

Mar 18th, 12:39

All you said is very true but you forgot to mention three/ four maverick Nationalist MPs who like Judas betrayed Christ. It was clear before the elections and it became more evident after with one of them even publicly celebrating the Labour victory, another often a favorite on ONE TV and the other sending his wife to show their true colours.They forgot how they were harshly criticised before!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Mar 18th, 12:39

Beg to disagree. It wasn't the perception of an incompetent government.
It was a reaction against a government besotted with its undoubted superior competence on the international stage but uncaring about the laments of grass roots faithful Nationalist left at the mercy of a pinkish/reddish civil service that was allowed full rein as long as the NP leadership, & friends were accommodated.

Victor Vella

Mar 18th, 12:38

At one instance during the divorce saga you matched your brother with Stalin. And today the general public with whom they matched your brother?

V. Cauchi

Mar 18th, 12:38

Minimizing the cause is only paving the way for mediocre leadership. What's to be realised is that the lacadaisical attitude adopted after 2008 was a strong belief similar to GBO's in 1971: "I will sound my trumpets and everyone will coming running back to me". Not so any longer. It's useless diverting history now: it is a full repeat of 1971 history, hopefully not so anti-Human Rights this time.

J. Grech

Mar 18th, 12:37

Part 1: As a voter who for the first time mistrusted PN, I agree with most points, apart from the 'perception' addition. It was not a perception, it was a fact! People touched up with inefficiencies in their daily personal and work life! Arrogance of people at the top. Additional costs like Water & Electricity and the Infamous Service Charge on Manufacturing companies!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 18th, 12:37

I am afraid that the perceptions mentioned by Dr M Gonzi were no perceptions at all but truths! You just have not understood the people yet! The PN just cannot keep treating citizens in this manner!

j camilleri

Mar 18th, 12:30

Keep on dreaming zzzzzzzz You had a 25yr chance but you and your clan ignored the cry of the citizens because you were so happy having a hefty income increase weekly salary €500 plus those who also had commissions if not ticktock and silver plates presents from admirers ... Do us a favour and shut up all of you.

j brincat

Mar 18th, 12:30

What we have been saying all along but Gonzi's acolytes were only interested in applauding him and poured scorn on the PL sympathisers!

Instead of pointing the hurdles which were heckling Gonz's government they preferred to adulate him beyond comprehension.


jb

anton portelli

Mar 18th, 12:29

no beating around the bush.a perfect autopsy,spot on!!!

Francis Farrugia

Mar 18th, 12:29

Dr. Gonzi. You really hit the nail directly on its head. Yes those were points (plus more others) which the Government and Party administration failed to tackle at least in the last two years. But one question please: Have you tried to discuss these issues with your brother, and what was the answer?????

Anthony A. Mifsud

Mar 18th, 12:28

We have had enough lies, the road is not clear and all these promises are simply a dose of sweetener after the sour dose of a eek go.
Lets go back twenty years and see we're the pn screed up....
Ninu

Mr Vincent Buttigieg

Mar 18th, 12:27

My PERCEPTION is that Dr Michael Gonzi (and a lot of the top PN brass) went asleep a very long time before 09 March and have not woken up yet!

The idea that most of them have abused of the power entrusted to them and that the 'micro factors' that he refers to are nothing but blatant injustices suffered by a lot of common citizens does not even cross his or any of his colleagues' mind.

Franco Abela

Mar 18th, 12:26

Well said Mr Gonzi... you forgot the €600 PER WEEK increase to Ministers, etc...

That was a clear sign of in-sensitiveness to people's sufferings.

Jon Vercellono

Mar 18th, 12:21

Some of the "insightful" responses below sound as though they've been written by robots and directly reflect Dr. Gonzi's insight to the election results. If you repeat something often enough, it bcomes a fact no matter if its the truth or not - what's particularly funny is this concept of klikka expands or decreases depending on individual perception. Sad to be brainwashed.

W. Cassar

Mar 18th, 12:19

Perception?..... still in denial I think.

Michael Sammut

Mar 18th, 12:18

You just go on believing that. It will take a radical change to make people believe in the PN again. Myself included. Repackaging the old won't work. The so called "perception" of corruption was not simply that. Corruption is everywhere. And why not speak of the debt? 40% higher in Gonzi's time. And what have we to show for it if not the cost of corruption? It won't be so easy I'm afraid.

David Griscti

Mar 18th, 12:16

"The continuous perception was of a broken internal executive which day in day out led to a complete distrust in the basic core of the management of this country". That perception was transmitted by the former cabinet as a whole....not by any latecomer who never had any government role. Councillors would do well to understand that, so they will avoid further provoking the electorate.

G.A. Scicluna

Mar 18th, 12:15

Dr. M. Gonzi, the government only promised everything to everyone by your innate corrupt standards, which your maladministration made it appear to be, business as usual. By the PL movement's standards it has promised everyone what is truly achievable by a country experiencing a realistic economic growth, in a scenario where corrupt practices and omerta do not exist.

Warren .S

Mar 18th, 12:14

I think that it echoed more than enough that PN supporters want new blood within the party. IMO, when members were against Simon Busuttil showed how much the party is in pieces. one has to fight the opposition not his fellow member.

Ian Ellul

Mar 18th, 12:13

Dream on!

Gorg Borg

Mar 18th, 12:13

Absolutely right but kick out the 'clique'

Matthew Scerri

Mar 18th, 12:12

Well said.

David Delmar

Mar 18th, 12:08

That is what happens to the man that thinks he knows it all I'm afraid.