Sometimes I find it hard to believe that the once so powerful Nationalist Party is facing the very real threat of political extinction.

Indeed, for all intents and purposes, the PN is a spent political force despite all the bravado of its new leaders and officials, who try to give the false impression that their party is going through a renaissance.

The reality is that the PN is more divided than ever, that its leader is blatantly failing to inspire and motivate the party supporters and that the gap between the PN and the Labour Party continues to widen.

Even though I belong to the Labour camp, in the interests of democracy, one shudders to think what will happen to the PN if, as is likely, it suffers another landslide defeat at the 2019 European Parliament and local councils elections.

What is certain is that the knives (metaphorically speaking, of course) will be out for PN Leader Adrian Delia.

I am sure that, given the weakness of his position, Delia would not survive such a defeat. Where would this leave the PN?

In absolute limbo, fighting for its very existence.

As was rightly pointed out in one of this newspaper’s editorials some time ago, the PN is divided within itself.

One section of it is still fighting the battles of Simon Busuttil’s days as party leader. That section would have the PN concentrate mostly on the fight against corruption and putting the stress on good governance.

Another section of the PN, exemplified by its leader and his closest associates, sees such an approach as simply leading into a blind alley. They would rather concentrate on other issues, especially bread-and-butter ones, without excluding the fight against corruption and striving for good governance but not giving them pride of place in their political strategy.

Because of this, the cracks in the PN have been there for all to see, and this manifestation of serious disagreements within the same political camp is having disastrous consequences where support for the party is concerned.

Then there is the question of the leader himself. Delia is an excellent public speaker, and even though I disagree with him on a political basis, I will be the first to admit that his speeches are easy to follow and interesting to listen to.

The PN has contributed a lot to Malta’s benefit. It is still contributing, albeit much less than before, but it seems to have lost its way lately

However, the baggage he brought with him to his present position continues to haunt him while denting his chances of credibility.

His outstanding income tax payments, for example, angered ordinary citizens, who have to work hard to make ends meet and who pay every cent of tax they owe only to see a political party leader prevaricate in the case of paying his dues.

Then there is the gross folly of people like MEP David Casa, who cannot grasp the fact that there is nothing that unites many Maltese against the PN so much as using the European Union as a whip with which to try and beat the Labour government.

The image they are projecting is one of abject cowardice, where they cannot face the Labour government alone and need help from “big brother” in Brussels.

Furthermore, damaging the reputation of Malta overseas is something which many Maltese regard as unforgivable. Yet, Casa and his confederates, persist in presenting highly exaggerated views of the situation in Malta.

Having followed the recent debate in the European Parliament about its delegation report on the rule of law in Malta, one could easily be forgiven for thinking that one was listening to a debate about the Stalinist Soviet Union or today’s North Korea.

Finally, of course, there is the inescapable fact that the PN is facing a great statesman in Joseph Muscat and a Labour government that gets things done in much less time than previous, Nationalist administrations and at less cost.

The results are there for all to see, and PN speakers who try to paint a picture of doom and gloom are being openly ridiculed by many people.

Let me make it clear that I support all those who speak out against corruption and who advocate for good governance in our country. However, this fight has to be fought within the bounds of present realities in Malta.

Presenting today’s Maltese government as the most corrupt ever, describing Malta as a “Mafia State”, giving the impression that the government is set on gagging journalists who oppose it, etc, is simply not on.

People today are too educated to swallow such nonsense. People want proof, not allegations. People want constructive criticism, not attempts to undermine the government. People want national unity, not the “us and them” political tribalism.

The PN has contributed a lot to Malta’s benefit. It is still contributing, albeit much less than before, but it seems to have lost its way lately.

The year 2019 could yet be its political apocalypse if it is not careful.

Desmond Zammit Marmarà is a Balzan Labour councillor.