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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 JUNE 2019 7 ANALYSIS to propel the party to a new majority. 3. Lurching to the left This may be seen as an exer- cise in political science-fiction because throughout history the PN was a centrist party which had to catch up with Labour's appeal amongst the working class, while always remaining in sync with the business elites. Although under Busuttil the party did oppose land grabs in Zonqor and Pembroke, these positions were never articu- lated in a coherent programme touching also on issues like the minimum wage and social wel- fare. Local elections still show the PN remaining stronger in af- fluent bourgeois localities like Sliema, Lija, Attard and Swieqi, which harbour discontent on environmental issues; but the PN remains weak in southern and central localities where its message is not even com- ing across. One reason for this may be that despite its lurch to the right, Muscat's Labour still has changed the life of working and middle-class voters through measures like free childcare, free school transport and free exams. Moreover by advocating poli- cies like rent control and an increase in the minimum wage the PN would end up further alienating the business class and property owners. There- fore the most one can expect from the PN is a more solid commitment on land use issues which impact their core voters negatively. It may be more re- alistic to expect a "correction" from the left within Labour in a post-Muscat scenario, espe- cially in a scenario of an eco- nomic slowdown. A more radical left may also emerge from civil society ac- tivists who actually believe in wealth redistribution and more sustainable indicators of pro- gress other than sheer econom- ic growth. Yet such movements will most likely keep their distance from the PN, actu- ally benefitting from a situation where critics of the government can no longer be pinned down as Nationalists in disguise. 4. Becoming more 'pro busi- ness' than Labour Although Labour has shifted its economic policies to the right, there are clear limits on how further Labour can go without alienating support within its core working class constituency. In fact in the next years one expects Labour to start ad- dressing the housing problem through policies which may re- strict the laissez-faire attitude in this sector. The PN may in this way position itself on the right wing of the spectrum by standing up for free markets. It may also propose bold policies like a fiscal system based on a flat tax rate which could appeal to the self-employed. But this will not go down well with the party's Christian democratic wing and may further restrict the party's appeal in less afflu- ent regions. While such policies may help the party reconnect with the business class, this may further weaken its chances of winning a majority of votes. 5. Reinventing the party's ap- peal to the centre In the circumstances the PN's best bet may well be that of presenting itself as a centrist alternative to Muscat's own centrist brand, moving just a bit to the left or to the right to exploit weaknesses in Labour's positioning in the spectrum, while ensuring continuity upon winning power. But the success of such a po- litical project would depend on attracting strong candidates who are perceived as better managers of the economy than Muscat's crop of ministers and aspiring politicians. To win, the PN needs a shad- ow cabinet which is perceived by voters to be as capable in managing the economy as well as Labour. This will be difficult in a situation where the PN has the word 'loser' written all over it. It would also depend on hav- ing a leader who is able to come across as moderate and reas- suring ,while able to deliver a couple of punches to keep the maximalists on board. Bruised by defeat in the mid- terms and by internal divisions, Delia may well be perceived as a stopgap measure till the election of a new leader after the next general election. The risk is that by then the decline may well spiral out of control, scorching the earth under the feet of any aspirational leader the PN may have. But to even start reclaiming the centre the party will have to redefine its stances. Good gov- ernance may well be redefined as a new way of administrating the country rather than using corruption as sheer ammuni- tion against Labour. But if successful, the party will be increasingly under pres- sure to appease its own tribe, especially if it is perceived as having a chance to get back to power. The party may even re- solve the conservative/liberal divide by opting for freedom of conscience on all ethical issues – except abortion – which will probably remain the party's identity fetish. In the vein of David Cameron in the UK or John McCain in the US, it may also project a more compassionate image on social welfare while sticking to its economically liberal roots. This may well be the only tra- jectory which may take the PN back to power, albeit one which will probably leave the country the same in terms of income inequality and the distribution of wealth. A move to the left would be an exercise in political science-fiction because throughout history the PN was a centrist party which had to catch up with Labour's appeal amongst the working class Annual Orchestral Charity Concert featuring the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor Prof. Michael Laus with the participation of the Goldberg Ensemble at St John's Co-Cathedral on ursday 20 th June 2019 at 19.30 hrs A reception will be held aerwards. Entrance to the Concert and Reception is strictly by invitation Invitation-voucher(s) available from MASMOM offices, Casa Lanfreducci Pjazza Jean de Valette, adjacent to Our Lady of Victory Church,Valletta Tel. no.: 2122 6919 / 2124 6406 info@orderofmalta-malta.org.mt Annual Orchestral Charity e Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation present their under the distinguished patronage of H.E. Dr George Vella President of Malta advertissement 2019 colour.indd 1 30/05/2019 12:29

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