In spite of the lie-ridden campaign by Joseph Muscat and the Labour media, aided and abetted by ex-Mintoffian minister Lino Spiteri’s crusade to denigrate Simon Busuttil, the Nationalist Party managed to achieve its objective to elect its third MEP at the expense of the Labour Party.

It is true that the PN did not manage to dent the Labour Party’s majority obtained last year but whoever expected this to happen has to take into account the fact that Labour was flush with money (and we have yet to discover from what source) and utilised all means, whether legal or not, as well as the outlandish use of the power of incumbency.

Labour may gloat about its renewed majority (subject, of course, to the 80,000 voters who did not turn up) but the PN should ignore the taunts of the Labour media and remain compact and united under Busuttil’s able leadership.

Busuttil is introducing gradually a new style of calm civil leadership in contrast with the populist rabble-rousing style adopted by Joseph Muscat that is reminiscent of the style of certain pre-war leaders who have certainly not engraved their names in gold in history.