“You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose” – Mario Cuomo (1985)
An honest admission of mistakes is vital
These past few days have presented me with a roller coaster of emotions. Profound disappointment at the party’s sound defeat in the general election. Personal satisfaction and gratitude for the significant trust shown in me by the electorate in two, very tough districts for the PN, being elected from the fourth district with almost 40 per cent of all the votes cast for the PN. Serenity at having done my duty conscientiously in the last legislature, bringing, together with the rest of the Cabinet, beneficial changes to our country’s economy, saving jobs and creating thousands of new ones, especially small businesses. Honoured to have served as the youngest member of the outgoing Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Gonzi whom I salute as having saved our country the humiliation meted out to several neighbouring countries, including which was singled out as a paragon of good governance to be emulated by the present Prime Minister. Humbled by the invaluable life experiences I learnt. Thankful for the opportunity to have worked along some of the best in the public service of this country. Indebted to all those who toiled hard with me in my secretariat and ministry to bring so much positive change in the safeguarding and administration of our public property, and the creation of myriad schemes and incentives for our small self-employed and small businesses.
The outgoing Nationalist Government undoubtedly leaves a positive heritage.
The people have spoken. We humbly bow our heads in submission to the people’s verdict. Time will tell if Mario Cuomo’s famous dictum will apply. The PL have definitely campaigned in poetry, with elegance and promising all to everyone, during a slick, flawless, costly campaign. Now they govern in prose, facing the brunt of all the expensive and unsustainable promises made. The poetry of campaigning is lofty, gauzy, full of possibility, a world where problems are solved just because we want them to be and opposition melts away before us. The prose of governing is messy, full of compromises and half victories that leave a sour taste in one’s mouth. Governing has to be specific, where the campaigning was vague.
However, in the immediate future it is the PN which has to put its house in order. Finger pointing will lead to nowhere.
What we need is to objectively recognise the causes, and they were several, for this defeat. An honest admission of mistakes committed in the campaign itself is vital. Why didn’t we harp more, for instance, on the successes and milestones achieved instead of getting lost in being too negative and harping unnecessarily on the 1980s? Let us do away with the idea that we are invincible or omniscient. Adopt a more humane language and attitude.
Allow me to share a Facebook message I received: “Joseph Muscat suggested a change in direction while the PN insisted there was no need for this and proposed more of the same. Joseph Muscat’s battle cry of Malta Tagħna Lkoll was an ideal, much like Eddie Fenech Adami’s Is-Sewwa Jirbaħ Żgur. Ideals inspire people and capture their hearts and minds. Slogans like Xogħol, Saħħa, Edukazzjoni may speak about the party’s priorities but do not capture the people’s imaginations quite like an ideal.
The PN’s sense of invincibility blinded it to the reforms that were being carried out in the Labour Party and it no longer saw Labour as a worthy enemy.
On the other hand, the PN, or rather its members, no longer stood united against the PL but instead turned upon each other and the rest is history”
The PN needs to be re-engineered from scratch, communications-wise, financially and operationally. Its structures need to be de-constructed and constructed anew to reflect today’s realities and be more inclusive. The PN has to be rebranded to show it to be the natural and empathising harbour for all those thousands of families who do not consider themselves as hard core. At the same time, we cannot sell our soul and principles, principal amongst which is the centrality of the human person. Our media house has to assume a more national forma mentis. A new mission statement is needed for all our local committees imbued with fresh blood and volunteers.
I do not believe that a post should be contested to settle scores or to prove a point. That is why I sincerely believe that the PN needs to have a “leadteam” at its helm. A new form of leadership team that unites all, pegged to real teamwork. Where each one of us is recognised for what he or she represents: a unique, precious, invaluable life enriching experience to the nation. A Leadteam that mobilises all the various spectra of society where we genuinely believe that we are as strong as the weakest link in the chain of society. A leadership that involves in an effective manner all those who are able to contribute in any way.
We have to tread with humility, good grace and seriousness. And, above all, in unity. United we stand, divided we fall.
jason.azzopardi@gov.mt
Jason Azzopardi is a Nationalist MP.