The Nationalist government had managed to meet its aims in difficult times, leading one to question whether the country could afford a change in its administration, Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said this evening.

Closing today’s session of the PN’s general council, he said:

“Can we do without an experienced Prime Minister who kept his strong hands on the country’s political and economic reigns to experiment in a vacuum?

“With less than a year-and-a-half to go for the election, the PL still refuses to answer questions, clarify or explain its policies,” Dr Borg said.

He said that when Labour leader Joseph Muscat was recently asked how water and electricity bills were to be paid, Dr Musscat said the PL had a formula. But no one knew what this formula was. Labour wanted a blank cheque into the country’s future but this was something it would not be given.

The council is discussing a document L-Gheruq Taghna (Our roots).

Dr Borg said the document was based on the principles which inspired the PN in its 130 years of history.

The PN had suffered to be on the right side and it remained popular because it represented all the people and always had a vision for the country.

It fought to acquire independence and when the country was on the verge of losing democracy, it was close to the people, showing them the alternative it wanted for the country.

Dr Borg spoke on the party’s economic achievements, the social measures it took placing the people as the focus of its policies and its successes in education.

In the 22 months Labour spent in government 13 years ago, it found time to remove stipends, increase the cost of water and electricity when the cost of oil was just $12 a barrel, replace VAT with a tax which went up to 28 per cent and withdraw Malta’s membership for the EU and from the partnership for peace.

The PN, Dr Borg said, had always had close links with the business sector, creating the right environment in which private enterprise could flourish.

It had implemented the principle of subsidiarity with the creation of local councils and made great achievements in tourism, progressing in the area in spite of the international crisis.

Dr Borg referred to the recent crisis in Libya and said that everyone, whatever his political opinion, admitted that the government had been prudent in the interest of the country.

Malta did not take part in any military operation but it did not stay neutral among the good and the bad. As early as February, the Prime Minister said that the end of the Gaddafi regime was unavoidable.

Dr Borg said he visited Benghazi before the conflict was over to show his solidarity with the freedom fighters. And a few weeks before the rebels entered Libya, it was Prime Minister Gonzi who autorised the transfer of 620 Libyas from Tunisa to Misrata and Benghazi, at the expense of the Maltese government. Malta also helped with the evacuation of foreign nationals from the country.

Had this policy not borne fruit, the Prime Minister and the government would have been blamed so the merit of its success should also be given to the Prime Minister and the government.

Dr Borg said that in the coming weeks Malta would continue to strengthen the confidence it invested in the new Libyan government stregthening its links with a new democratic government with whom it would work for the benefit of both countries.

The council was opened by PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier who said that Malta was not immune to external challenges and the PN had to keep updating its policies to remain relevant in modern-day society.

Speaking on L-Gheruq Taghna, Dr Borg Olivier said this document placed the person at the heart of the party's policies.

Malta was going through economic, social and political changes as were other countries and the document was a renewed political vision.

Its first part dealt with the PN's roots, the concepts which remained the solid foundation on which all PN policies were based.

The second part dealt with how these concepts could be translated into tangible policies to enable the people to judge the PN on its actions.

"Unlike others, we have a proven track record of action," he said to applause.

Dr Borg Olivier said that while the PN was proud to be inspired by Catholic values, it was also aware of the clear distinction between church and state.

The PN, he said, was always driven by prudence and responsibility, without giving in to populist or opportunistic pressures.

"We are willing to take decisions which may not prove popular and lose us votes. But we are a party that decides and acts in the country's interest."

Speaking on the party's policies, Dr Borg Olivier said that there was a need for a Constitutional reform.

"We need more transparent and just legislative processes and more transparency in party funding."

The party, he said, had to do its utmost to strengthen families and their key role in society.

"Not every marriage succeeds, but we must do our utmost to help families succeed. Protection of children is crucial to PN's social policy. The government must also legislate for rights and responsibilities of both heterosexual and homosexual couples."

The document also dealt with economic policy, education, the environment, culture and justice and home affairs. It noted that prison must be about rehabilitation, not just retribution and sentences had to be fair and firm.

L-Gheruq Taghna can be read in the pdf link below.