The title of this article is taken from a famous fable by Aesop. It recounts a group of mice discussing how to neutralise the threat of a marauding cat. One of them proposes to place a bell around the cat’s neck, so they are warned of its approach. The plan is applauded by many, until one mouse queries, who will bell the cat?

After the second consecutive drubbing at the polls, the Nationalist Party is keenly searching for someone to bell Joseph Muscat. Who will be brave enough?

Currently, the Nationalist Party is in the same state of affairs that the Labour Party had found itself in after Alfred Sant was rejected for the second consecutive time. Labour supporters ought to empathise with the Nationalist supporters. They know very well what the feelings of disappointment, disbelief and resentment are all about. It took Labour almost 25 years of wandering in the political wilderness to identify the right person to bell the PN.

How many years will the PN need to identify a resolute leader?

This is the million dollar question. This partly depends on how it handles the forthcoming party leader elections. The said elections can be a positive watershed moment and can serve as an impetus for growth. It would be the party’s downfall if this election was engineered with some hidden agendas. The party members must choose wisely and honestly, refuse to play musical chairs and ought to snub any backroom party dealings. Party members also must not choose any matryshka doll candidates – vote Peter to get Paul! Then, it all depends on how bold, assertive and determined the chosen leader is to lead the party before proceeding with belling the cat. This is the first step in the journey of a thousand steps.

Notwithstanding that the Nationalist Party had very good reason to make good governance and anti-corruption their electoral platform stand, the party lost big time. One cannot try to find excuses or shift responsibility. A good number of pointers clearly indicate that the party urgently needs to undergo a professional, independent and assertive soul-searching exercise before presenting itself again as an alternative party.

The Nationalist Party is in the same state of affairs that the Labour Party had found itself in after Alfred Sant was rejected for the second consecutive time

It is also very clear that the previous 2013 election post mortem was somehow resisted and/or watered down. Undoubtedly, stables were cleared but it seems not cleaned enough. Sadly, some still made the party structures as though they were an extension of their ego or a platform for their self-advancement. Change for the sake of change is no change. Cosmetic change remains cosmetic. But real change must come this time round. There is no other real alternative other than closing shop. The next general election will be a do or die issue, similar to what it entailed for the Labour Party in 2013.

So, is this haste to identify the most ‘able mouse’ during the summer upheaval, when most of us are politically disengaged, an attempt by the party to sweep issues under the carpet once more? Although the party wants to avoid a leadership vacuum and shun a ‘night of the long knives’, would it not be more beneficial if prior to the selection of the leader a detailed independent SWOT  analysis was commissioned?

Such a report would not only identify any organisational and strategic shortcomings but would give potential candidates a candid outlook before accepting the poisoned chalice. The said assessment would also outline a snapshot of our fast-changing society, underline the future challenges ahead and highlight what type of leadership is needed to address these challenges. The chosen leader must be a person able to face not only today’s realities but address the challenges of tomorrow.

So, what qualities are needed for this demanding role?

Besides the run-of-the-mill basic leadership requisites, such as good organisational and communication skills, a high level of assertiveness, experience in public administration, a level political astuteness (and preparation?), being a team player and having an inspirational-motivating personality, I would add that the chosen leader must also be a good bridge-builder and a person of vision and values, among other things.

A bridge-builder is a person who seeks to have an open-door policy and reach out to others.

Firstly, the chosen leader must reach out to his/her own party people. A divided house cannot stand. The electorate never trusts a divided party. The party’s different shades and colours must realise this and come together seeking a common ground.

Secondly, the chosen leader needs to bridge with civil society. Many active citizens, while feeling strong on many issues, are not prepared to do so within party structures. The party needs to reach out and work together on equal terms.

Thirdly, the chosen leader needs to bridge with the Labour Party and other political realities. We need to come together and seek consensus not confrontation. Continuous bashing leads nowhere except to more years in opposition.

Finally, the chosen leader needs to be a person of vision and values. What does the party stand for today? What is the party’s vision of society? How will the party contribute to make our society a better place for all? The chosen leader needs to make us dream again.

Sadly, over the years politics has been tarnished by so many stories of cronyism, sleaze, power trips and unethical behaviour. Politics is rapidly being deprived of basic common values such as the values of solidarity, social justice, the safeguarding of common good, the upholding of certain ethical behaviour, the importance of human dignity and other basic values. The chosen leader must be a bearer of such values.

Democratic Malta cannot afford to have a marauding cat for longer. Democratic Malta cannot end up being a one-party state or the Azerbaijan of the Mediterranean. Malta needs a healthy, pro-active opposition.

We deserve a strong Nationalist Party.

Albert Buttigieg is deputy mayor of St.Julian’s and a former general election candidate for the 9th and 10th districts.