It is times of transition that demonstrate what a political party is truly made of. Although Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil has taken the honourable decision to step down as leader, he is leaving a distinct legacy behind: a passion for good governance burning in the hearts of tens of thousands of people in this country.

Even on a party level, Busuttil is also leaving a party with a sounder financial foundation, a revamped organisation and an enthusiastic electoral base.

Testament to this is the sheer volume of people from outside the political circles who have come forward and made themselves at home within the PN both before, as well as after the general election.

As Opposition leader, Busuttil’s fresh style has left an enduring mark on the country’s politics.

After the lethargic Labour Oppositions everyone grew used to, including that led by Joseph Muscat between 2008 and 2013, few had expected Busuttil to bring such dynamism and substance to this crucial constitutional role.

Truth be told, Busuttil re-invented the meaning of what a true Opposition should be like in a modern, European democracy.

It was under Busuttil’s guidance that, for the first time ever, our Parliament enacted a law that was proposed by the Opposition.

Despite the relentless – and baseless – Labour Party smear campaign that the PN is negative, the Muscat government regularly found the collaboration of the Opposition led by Busuttil on crucial issues on which national unity can truly be nurtured.

One of them was the support of the Opposition for the nomination of Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca as President.

Busuttil’s dynamism shone through even on issues such as equality. His was, for instance, the first-ever gender balanced shadow cabinet, with an equal number of women and men.

Crucially, under Busuttil’s helm, PN presented hundreds of studied and concrete recommendations on major issues ranging from the future of Air Malta to traffic congestion and from the environment to the first-ever policy for retailers.

That’s a far cry from negative politics.

It is now for a new PN leader to take the party forward and finish what Simon Busuttil started

This new approach to politics has been a decisive signature of Busuttil’s brand of politics.

Above all, Busuttil was the embodiment of political integrity and high standards in politics which was in stark contrast to the scandal-ridden ‘best-cabinet-in-history’ led by Muscat.

Busuttil made honest politics his mission long before the Panama Papers erupted and by the time the Prime Minister decided to call an early election, it was clear in everyone’s mind what the PN stood for.

So, it is truly rich for people like Economy Minister Chris Cardona, whose only claim to fame is his seedy visit to Germany, to treat Busuttil with a similar contempt that we recently saw from Kurt Farrugia in his Talking Point (August 10).

By dismissing Busuttil so arrogantly, Cardona insults a solid portion of society, who with their vote, placed their hope in clean politics. For as one public institution after another failed to defend the people’s interest, it was Busuttil who stood up and gave a voice to the people’s expectations.

It is highly pretentious of the Labour Party deputy leader to interpret the election result as an endorsement of the government’s ways.

If anything, there is now a new sense of awareness that people in public office should be held to higher standards, thanks to a persevering Opposition.

The PN has, over the past four years, been through a phased reform of its structures and policies and mission that saw it reconnecting with the people once again.

The Labour Party noticed this wave of support, so much so that despite his staggering parliamentary majority, Muscat was ready to sacrifice a year of his term in office to nip this wave in the bud.

True to form, Busuttil reacted to the result by once again setting the example and showing that political accountability was not something he preached, but something that he also practised.

It is now for a new PN leader to take the party forward and finish what Simon Busuttil started.

And in selecting a new party leader, Busuttil’s ultimate transformation of the PN into a people’s party shines through: for the first time ever, the new party leader will be elected directly by the party members themselves; more than 20,000 are eligible.

When people like Cardona write in the clumsy and insulting manner that he did about Busuttil, they only serve to highlight the sheer contrast between themselves and Busuttil himself.

And the contrast could not be starker.

Claudette Buttigieg is a  Nationalist Party MP and deputy speaker.