It goes without saying that the extent of the recent electoral loss came as a shock to many and particularly for the Nationalist Party. The general feeling out there seemed to indicate a somewhat closer race but it proved not to be the case. It also proved just how dangerously misleading social media echo chambers can be, and also how ill-prepared the party was on a micro level.

I however believe that dwelling on the past will get us nowhere. Yes, we should learn from it and preserve and cultivate further the positives, but let us look forward to the future and not recriminate on the past. We cannot change the past but we sure can build a great future together.

I have seen a few sparse comments here and there advocating the apocalypse and that the PN has to change name, flag and so on if it wants to stand a chance. This is utter knee-jerk nonsense in my view.

Yes, Labour changed their name and flag, but you know what, they had no option. Their violent and economically disastrous past had to be cast aside and Joseph Muscat did the right thing to make that move.

The PN has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of its past. Far from it! It is the party that was born to believe in our future and our abilities as a nation, the party that dreamt of and delivered self-government and independence, that restored democracy and transformed the country into a modern economy and that guided us into the new millennium and into the European Union. The PN is the party that looks ahead to the future, believing in the innate abilities of the Maltese people.

We need to introduce science into the equation, marrying invaluable data collected by party ‘agents’ with IT-based systems, allowing the party to be constantly in touch with the nation’s pulse

The past four years have been very challenging but today the structures of the party are functioning, the financial health of the party has improved, it is more inclusive than it was four years ago and, above all else, the enthusiasm out there for the party and the will to volunteer increases every day. The PN is geared up for the future and has every reason to look to the future with enthusiasm and optimism.

Absolute unity of purpose and resolve is of the essence. Turf wars, petty infighting, abusing of one’s position or influence in the party and, worse still, well-timed leaks have to be a thing of the past.

There is no place for hypocrisy and double standards in the modern PN. Inclusiveness cannot be taken to the point of tolerance of hypocrisy and double standards, for that would be counterproductive and a sign of fundamental weakness. Discipline and equity starts at home.

The relationship between the people and the party has to take centre stage. That relationship can no longer remain an interminable war of numbers between fellow colleagues, solely designed to maximise personal electoral performances.

We need to introduce science into the equation, marrying invaluable data collected by party ‘agents’ with IT-based systems, allowing the party to be constantly in touch with the nation’s pulse through precise scientific data. To achieve this we need to change mind-set and understand that we are ‘agents’ for the party, serving the party and not the other way round.

We also need to revive the fantastic grassroots organisation the party relied on successfully in the past. They can and should all become proud and willing ‘agents’ of the party at every level of Maltese society, rather than being sparsely involved and often simply used for internal election purposes.

The enthusiasm generated through this recent election is fertile ground for the party to revamp and revitalise its relationship with its grassroots. They are and have to be an integral part of the party’s strategy. If given the chance and proper ideological and technical direction I am certain they will shine, enabling the party to infiltrate every layer of Malta’s society, laying the groundwork for the party’s winning future.

The PN strategy has to be multi-faceted and has to take centre stage, running through from the leader’s offices to the grassroots set-up. There has to be a single-mindedness and focus in the party’s approach. It is essential that such strategy is sourced from a healthy mix of wise and experienced people, as well as people who hail from the real world, who are creative and bold and who ideally have no political ambitions of their own.

Above all there has to be leadership that understands all this, that realises that eco-chambers are not healthy, that internal talent has to change and that understands it is the people that matter and not solely the party structures and the small group of people within the party.

Being bold and passionate on those lines will surely lead the PN to a winning future that will benefit our nation.

David Griscti is a lawyer by profession and president of the AZAD Foundation.