A year flies by, like it’s just a week. One year into being elected deputy leader of the Nationalist Party, I must say it’s been quite an experience.

Having been given a chance, as it was the people who entrusted their vote in me, I must repay their confidence in full.

We have had a gruelling year, as it takes time to organise, set out agendas, manage structures and financial structures in everything the party does.

Without any doubt, the most enjoyable experience is meeting people from all walks of life.

The helping hand given to hundreds, the bridge-building that was so necessary, the other side of the coin in every story. Stark reality as to the consequences of certain social media posts. Shifting of persons from helpers to critics, as demands were not met.

A real rainbow of situations that enhance your life experience, learning from each and every meeting. Appreciating what people went and are going through.

The party is certainly an underdog in the forthcoming elections, and must put its all into matching the might of our political opponent. This is possible, should every available hand row the boat in the same direction. By all, I mean from bottom to top. From Facebook users to every person who holds a position, and works for the party, albeit in different ways. The party first.

The ideals and values that form this great party are and will remain there. These values have been present, and proved over and over again, by all the four leaders of the party under whom I have served loyally, starting from 1994 as mayor of Sliema till today, passing through various positions.

The situation we have today, and the huge majority electoral losses incurred, are due to strategy, perception, foresight by Labour, and the succumbing to that of our electorate.

Starting off from the switchers, those wanting a change, the financial switchers, and now, albeit to a lesser extent, the orphans.

Setting your own house in order is a mirror of what one can do, when the electorate decides it is your turn again

All played, and are playing, into the hands of Labour. So much so, that these unprecedented proportions will lead up to a two-thirds majority in Parliament, giving Labour the right to even change the Constitution. A luxury we may, one day, regret. Then the Labour earthquake and roadmap is complete.

It’s the consequence of what is being said, done and advocated. It is reality, and it is useless to hide it.

The party intends to improve, and even if criticised on Facebook, that we are all over the place meeting people, I assure that this is correct, as we lacked this approach for years. Our vision, our proposals will be based and given out only when the time is right, on meetings held in the streets, homes, boardrooms, canteens, campus and offices. Everywhere.

For whoever wished, we have been there, willing and attentive. Listing the various changes we have gone through this year would need an extra page on this news-paper. Setting your own house in order, is a mirror of what one can do, when the electorate decides it is your turn again.

Arguing in Parliament is one thing, taking action in court, due to the failure, or rather the controlling and blocking of all institutions, is another. We see this as time well spent, as you cannot leave things to go wrong, as if there were no values.

The Nationalist Party is the only formation that can turn the sad story of Labour’s lack of governance around. No other formation wooing for votes can. We may not be the strongest in marketing, in material-sending, or present on the very expensive portals and Google, as this entails huge amounts of money. However, the base of a solid structure has been set in this past year. 

Zero tolerance to corruption, a vision of where Maltese would live better, a caring society for all, while businesses continue to generate wealth, in a clean climate. Labour’s pre-election promises must be dished out now and translated to those who switched their vote, and now probably fund the Labour Party. We will plan out a national roadmap, and not a party roadmap.

Joining us is not an obligation, governing Malta is not our birthright. Many Maltese and Gozitans are and will start looking at the party as a real alternative party to govern. We talk and meet, and are capable of communicating with all. We are people friendly, and acknowledge the reality of having hurt many in the past. This will not happen again.

From year one to five, what is in store? More work. The template has now been set. Our resources properly spent on election campaigns. People say that the mountain is too high to climb. Ever thought of digging a tunnel through that huge mountain? Probably not. The tunnel still gets you to the other side. All must work to remove even one stone.

A last appeal is to all good people out there. Join us, even from your homes, quietly, silently, or by giving a hand anywhere in the various structures.

We will work for Malta, and its people, in their totality to the full.

Robert Arrigo is deputy leader of the Nationalist Party.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece