Simon Busuttil: 2015 was ‘a turning point’ for the party. Picture: Matthew Mirabelli

Any lingering doubts about the direction taken by the Nationalist Party following its trouncing at the polls in 2013 have been erased by the inroads made this year, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday.

In his final address for 2015 the PN leader said the last 12 months had been a “turning point” both on a party level but also for the government “whose mask has fallen off”.

Speaking during a short 10-minute telephone link on Radio 101, Dr Busuttil said that this year the party had managed to re-establish its links with the grassroots and portray itself as a credible alternative government.

He referred to last week’s 15-hour parliamentary debate over the transfer of land for the American University of Malta in Żonqor, Marsascala, saying that it epitomised the manner in which the government had deceived the people.

“The government has rushed through a Bill giving public land to someone who describes himself as American University of Malta even though the investor is neither American nor seeking accreditation as a tertiary institution,” the PN leader said.

The truth has taken on a new meaning under this government

Dr Busuttil expressed his amazement at how members of government had blindly toed the party line even at the cost of undermining their own credibility.

“The truth has taken a new meaning under this government,” he said.

On the other hand, Dr Busuttil said, the Opposition stood up to be counted and was giving a voice to the people.

He added that the party’s good governance proposals demonstrated its commitment to raise standards across the board.

“Our aim is to delve deeper into these proposals in the coming weeks when the PN will be meeting various sectors of society to present its vision.”

The PN wanted to restore honesty in politics, Dr Busuttil said. It was rebuilding itself on policies and commitments based on truth and transparency.

“That is what the people want. The people are losing faith in politics when they see what the government is doing,” he said.