Phase two. That starts within 48 hours from now. Phase one was long, at times tiresome. A new chapter begins for the future of the Nationalist Party – best defined in three, clear, unequivocal words: Bring it on.
We discussed, argued, spoke at hundreds of meetings, wrote articles, published manifestos, spoke to the press – we explained our vision. First it was the contenders for the post of PN leader, then us, who are contesting the posts of deputy leaders.
And in 48 hours, that process would have come to an end too.
Nearly five months since a crushing defeat at the polls, our resolve was to never surrender. And we did not.
The defeat strengthened our resolve to get better. Change – that’s what we’re doing. A brand new leadership team, as expected, and should be, given the circumstances.
Not that our predecessors were not up to the task, but they themselves acknowledged that new challenges require a new chapter – and that’s what the new leadership team is determined to deliver: a reformed Nationalist Party.
Tomorrow, my name is on the ballot paper for the post of deputy leader for party affairs. Should the card-paying members of the PN give me their support, I shall, immediately, hit the ground running. Mine is a 25-point plan to strengthen, re-brand and reconnect the PN with the people.
I’ve been in politics and business all my adult life. I know a challenge when I see one. And the challenges facing us are many, some seem insurmountable, but, in truth, they’re not.
For no challenge is impossible to win when you are determined to succeed.
Never have I been so determined to change the fortunes of the PN for the better – and that’s for two main reasons.
Firstly, there is my reputation at stake.
Complacency has never been my cup of tea – for it delivers nothing but pain
What I achieved in the past three decades, I did so through hard work and loads of sacrifice. Good reputations do not grow on trees, they are achieved. And make no mistake, I am not ready to compromise what I achieved, were I not sure that the end result reads good news.
Which brings me to the second, but most important reason why I’m doing this: I want to deliver good news to the PN and my country.
To the PN, for it deserves nothing short of that. A glorious past must be coupled with a bright future. That won’t come without vision, hard work, and change.
I shall put to good use my long experience in politics and business to bring about that change. Mine is a bottom up approach, which leaves no stone unturned. Complacency has never been my cup of tea – for it delivers nothing but pain. And frankly, we’ve had enough pain.
The PN deserves better, for Malta deserves better than the rot we are in.
For rot it is, brought about by an ‘anything goes’ culture, unprecedented intrusion by government in the running of, supposedly, autonomous institutions, rife corruption, sheer lack of meritocracy, and the inability to put the common good before the interests of the chosen few.
The government takes comfort in the knowledge that ‘it’s the economy stupid’, but, when things fall apart – which they are, that cannot be maintained, and soon it will be ‘its democracy, stupid’.
The Nationalist Party needs, because the country demands it, to transform itself into a strong, credible alternative.
As deputy leader for party affairs, I am determined to do just that. The time is now. On the eve of a new chapter in the future of the PN, I am ready to hit the ground running.
Change, a new way, the right way – let’s bring it on.
Robert Arrigo is contesting for the post of deputy leader, party affairs, of the Nationalist Party.