A small Cabinet, the transport reform, the City Gate project and the pay rise to ministers were among the many reasons that lost the Nationalist Party the last election, according to the party’s defeat report.

Report found several decisions taken by the PN in government hurt the party’s image

The PN also “underestimated” the personality of Labour leader Joseph Muscat and the positive changes he brought to his party, even with seemingly superficial moves like changing the logo.

“Sabotage” by Labour-leaning civil servants, the loss of MPs Franco Debono and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, the PN’s stand against divorce and the lack of a clear policy on gay rights were also mentioned as issues that contributed to the defeat.

The 38-page executive summary – the report itself has not been released – listed a huge number of issues that were behind the PN’s defeat and Labour’s victory.

The commission tasked with drawing up the report, led by executive committee president contender Ann Fenech, found although Malta had one of its best governments since Independence, voters still wanted a change.

While everyone acknowledged Malta flourished at a time of international economic turmoil, many voters wanted to change its Nationalist Government for a Labour Administration.

The commission said the PN must rekindle a “feel good factor” among its supporters, appeal again to people with Nationalist leanings and extend a “true sense of belonging” to whoever wants to form part of the PN family.

The report found several decisions taken by the PN in Government hurt the party’s image. These included appointing parliamentary assistants to appease backbenchers, appointing certain people to public boards and reforming the planning authority, which was seen as a “bureaucratic monster under nobody’s control”.

Inefficiency at ARMS Ltd (the water and electricity billing agency), the Enemalta oil scandal and building the Delimara power station extension all worked against the PN.

The pay rise for ministers was deemed to have been “mismanaged” while the restructuring of Air Malta, Sea Malta and the Drydocks affected many people negatively.

So did the suspension of the permanent residence scheme, the state of the roads and the pro-government stance of the State broadcaster.

The PN government’s position on hunting did not please environmentalists or hunters while its anti-racism stand on illegal immigration also failed to go down well with the electorate.

The report found that former party leader Lawrence Gonzi was deemed “too conservative” and was taken up by the country’s problems to focus on the organisational shortcomings within the party.

The report also mentions “bloggers with Nationalist sympathies”.

It says that the PN was often blamed for what these wrote, even though some people felt these same bloggers were doing the work the party should have been doing. The PN could have disassociated itself from bloggers who were making personal attacks.

Regarding general secretary Paul Borg Olivier, the report said he was faced with five years of problems, either because of dissenting backbenchers or due to the party’s financial situation.

“These circumstances forced the general secretary to dedicate long hours to these problems and, consequently, reducing his attention on the leadership and organisational work and other important aspects of the party,” the report said.

It also mentioned assistant general secretary Jean Pierre Debono who, although praised by sectional committee members, was seen as somewhat unavailable during the election campaign.

The report says some party members complained that he did not do any follow-up work when members revoked their membership.

Another person mentioned in the report is former transport minister Austin Gatt, whose “personality” was mentioned by many people interviewed, even though he was deemed one of the most “focused and determined” ministers.

The report also singled out former European commissioner John Dalli, saying his comments, writings and general behaviour, especially after leaving Malta, caused great harm to the party.

“Arrogance” by ministers and civil servants and the perception of “cliques” worked against the party, as did the cost of living increase.

The report criticised the negative election campaign. It recommended a bigger emphasis on newly appointed leader Simon Busuttil’s qualities and said his election already brought a sense of new hope.

Among many reasons why Labour won the election, the report mentioned the resignation of former leader Alfred Sant, the death of Labour icon Dom Mintoff, the call for meritocracy and setting up a section for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

‘Arrogance’ by ministers worked against the party

Labour’s slogan Malta Tagħna Lkoll (Malta For All), its call for unity and well-funded campaign also contributed significantly.

Interestingly, the report says that Labour’s “fourth floor” – which the party criticised during the election as the place where Dr Muscat’s “clique” met – created an open environment in which everyone enjoyed working, similar to how the PN’s headquarters operated in the past.

The report recommended backing of party financing law, involving more women and youths and creating objective and credible party media that could also communicate in English.

It recommended imposing a 10-year term limit for its ministers, party leader and Prime Minister to ensure renewal, among many other administrative suggestions.