October was not a good month for the Prime Minister. His credibility suffered a big blow over the power station issue. Joseph Muscat, as expected, rebuffed any call for resignation, despite ample evidence confirming that he indeed tied his leadership to the pledge to deliver the new power station on time (by March 2015).

Muscat not only came short of an apology (yes, leaders are expected to apologise sometimes), but turned very taciturn on another criticism that was levelled at him, namely, that his campaigning “cancer factory” mantra was just a damp squib. A breach of trust has occurred, and it will take much more than sweet talking and empty rhetoric to have it repaired.

In contrast, October for the PN was glittery in both style and content. The party started showing new signs of resurging enthusiasm by a leader who is growing into his role. Simon Busuttil not only injected new life and energy, but has provided fertile ground for new ideas to grow.

The renewal of the party, as a political force and as a commercial organisation, is now bearing fruition. The PN Convention has brought to the fore a party now actively welcoming new ideas, vivaciously engaged with issues across the board, and delivering a strong message that it will hold government to account.

One might argue that the party’s clobbering in the last MEP elections was a sign of a party caught by inertia and political fatigue.

Nothing could be further than the truth than this claim. Busuttil is showing maturity and careful attention to every position the party is taking. He will not feed on people’s disgruntlement and play the populist game.

This is a tactic of the past, and as the Prime Minister will attest in the months to come, it will come back to haunt you. The PN is building its foundations on becoming the real alternative to a government with no real vision for Malta and its economy.

Up until recently, whenever the Prime Minister or any of his ministers made a blunder they blamed the previous government. The public was still in a mood of accepting whatever the newly elected premier said. People were still unforgiving of the PN, and Muscat thrived on what seemed an extended honeymoon period.

Busuttil is growing in stature and his leadership skills are slowly beginning to become known

But this aura of triumph and invincibility is now being shaken considerably. Labour in government got wind of this, and attempted to postpone next year’s consultation with the electorate fearing a backlash in the vote.

The PN leader’s message was clear that this appointment at the polls could not be tampered with at the Prime Minister’s whims. The latter had no alternative but to retain the local council elections of 2015 as previously scheduled.

Muscat’s jetting across the globe trying to sell our citizenship is a clear demonstration that he is finding it hard to generate income from national economic activity. The government is also failing to create enough jobs for our youth.

His fixation with Chinese investment is another thing. The Leisure Clothing factory scandal should serve as an eye-opener.

This company is not privately owned. It belongs to the Chinese government, the same one which will be taking over the management of Enemalta and which is being touted to take over Air Malta. The Opposition should remain vigilant to ensure that the workers’ conditions in these entities will not be meddled with.

Where does all this leave the PN? Has the PN any chance of winning the next election? Is Busuttil the right man to lead the party?

The answer is a definite yes. The PN has a good chance to turn the tide but it cannot rely solely on the government’s incompetence.

At the convention last week, Busuttil showed eloquence and preparation. His style and delivery were well received.

There is nothing contrived in this approach. What you see is what you get. The leader of the Opposition, flanked by two strong deputy leaders, a hard-working general secretary and supported by an able party structure, is taking the party towards new horizons.

Since taking over at the helm, Busuttil has made a silent revolution, and all this without too much pomp. He instilled in everyone within the party’s structures this sense of love for the party, where no one is bigger than the party.

Dedication, commitment and hard work come first. Personal glory comes second.

Busuttil is growing in stature and his leadership skills are slowly beginning to become known.

Like his predecessors, the PN leader has all the qualities to become a great statesman.

The road for him and the party is uphill and bumpy but Busuttil has the determination to transform the PN into a re-electable force once again.

Hermann Schiavone is a member of the Nationalist Party executive committee.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.