The June 3 general election result can only be described as a major upset for the Nationalist Party. Labour not only succeeded in retaining power but also managed to do so with practically the same wide margin that had separated the two major parties in the March 2013 election.

It is thus obvious that the present situation is a challenging one for the PN.

Not for the first time in its history the party is faced with a difficult challenge.

In such circumstances, it may perhaps be tempting for one to slip into an air of pessimism by quite simply giving up and laying the blame for all that happened at everyone else’s doorstep.

The history of the PN, however, shows all too clearly that the party always overcame its greatest challenges and difficult moments by doing the exact opposite.

History shows that challenges and difficulties were changed into opportunities by determination and an air of positivity.

It is clear that the PN must embrace change, in the widest possible sense of the word change.

A change within the administration of the party alone will quite simply not represent the true change that the political organisation really needs.

The party needs to build a forward-looking type of politics, a positive type of politics, an inclusive type of politics

The PN must take this challenge as an opportunity to enact the changes needed.

Some may, perhaps, see change with fearful lenses; the truth however is that change is perhaps the greatest opportunity that lies ahead.

The PN must change in a manner that fully respects the core values which make up the very heart of the party.

These core values are the very heart of the PN and the pillars of its modern historical contribution to the country.

These values are still very much valid in today’s political reality.

The party needs to build a forward-looking type of politics, a positive type of politics, an inclusive type of politics, a type of politics that is in touch with the realities of today – a type of politics that people can look to with hope of better times ahead.

At the same time, we need a type of politics that fully respects the values that make up the party.

Rather than look to the future with trepidation, the PN should look ahead with great optimism. Let us not waste precious time and energy on pointless and futile finger-pointing exercises.

Now is the time to rebuild a strong Nationalist Party that will be in a better position to offer the country a strong and viable alternative.

The country democracy needs a strong Nationalist Party; a vibrant party that is proud of its identity, proud of its values, clear on what those values are and at the same time in touch with the realities of today. A party that looks forward not backwards but at the same time fully respects the valuable lessons of the past.

Our country needs an inclusive Nationalist Party that at the same time has solid ground to stand on.

It is precisely in this spirit that one can only look towards the future of the party with an air of great optimism. It is precisely this spirit that shall turn difficult days into better times.

Some may be tempted to say that the scale of defeat on June 3 is now quite simply insurmountable; that the future is bleak and dark. Nothing could be further from the truth, for as the great Sir Winston Churchill once said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal – it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Angelo Micallef was a Nationalist Party candidate in the last election.

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