A “new force” could evolve into a fully-fledged political party in time for the next general election as public interest in an “alternative” is growing, according independent MP Marlene Farrugia.

“These are very exciting times. I am meeting many, many people who are interested in going for something new and this is the time to discuss it,” Dr Farrugia said.

She was contacted following a post uploaded on her Facebook account, urging all those who felt they could “contribute” to join in discussing a way forward.

The prospect of a new political organisation has been the subject of national debate in recent weeks after Dr Farrugia penned a very telling opinion piece last month about “a political phoenix rising out of the ashes of the PN and the Labour Movement”.

These are very exciting times

She had previously declined to commit on what shape this ‘phoenix’ would take and if this would be a fully-fledged party or simply a lobby group.

However, Dr Farrugia yesterday said she had already set up a “core group” of about 15 people, ranging from academics to journalists and members of civil society.

These would be meeting in the coming days to chart the way forward.

Dr Farrugia said that much of civil society felt disillusioned by the Labour government, which seemed to be ensnared in a web of corruption. Likewise, many had little confidence in the Nationalist Party’s ability to rehabilitate in time for the next election.

This, Dr Farrugia said, could present an opportunity for her group to help either the PL or the PN to get their act together, in a sort of good governance ‘task force’.

Alternatively, it could lead to the setting up of a completely new political party.

Acknowledging that the system in place made electing a third party to Parliament difficult, Dr Farrugia said it was still early to be making any decisions. What she had decided, however, was that she would rather not lead any new party.

“I want this to be about new faces and new ideas. I am not a new face,” she said, adding that she would reluctantly accept to lead only if that was what the people wanted.

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