Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1284320
OPINION maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 2 SEPTEMBER 2020 THE upcoming election for the leader- ship of the Nationalist Party comes at a time of unprecedented social, economic and environmental upheaval. While we grapple with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are surrounded by several other challenges that demand our imme- diate attention and urgent action. Just last Friday, on Xarabank, I answered to a number of questions on a number of these policy areas, including migration, media pluralism and drug policy, just to mention a few. Inevitably, I was also asked about the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accentuated several long-standing vulnerabilities in our social fabric, such as the growing number of fami- lies at risk of poverty, access to housing, and employment. These are all issues that I face regularly when visiting people's homes, and during my meetings with stakeholders. Nonethe- less, these are just the tip of the iceberg. In the weeks and months ahead, the po- litical agenda will undoubtedly demand our contribution and concrete proposals in several other spheres of policy. These include climate change and ecological col- lapse, economic development and gender equality, the future of work and inclusive growth, governance and democratization, urban planning and ODZ protection, and managing an ageing population and educa- tion policy. A large chunk of these policy challenges has an international dimension. The Na- tionalist Party has much to learn and more to contribute in international fora, at a Eu- ropean level and beyond. We should also seek to monitor and take on board best practices among other small island states like ours. Several of them have demonstrat- ed inspirational resilience and adaptability that we can take on board and adapt to or reality. What is certain is that the sheer breadth and scope of these challenges demands an organized, connected and focused Nation- alist Party. Organized, because the party needs to at- tact individuals with a huge variety of skill- sets and capabilities, from all walks of life. We need a new generation of minds to add value to the experience of those who have long supported the party. In addition, we need to invest in our party's internal struc- tures and technological capacity to manage these growing expectations. Connected, because none of what we do has value if we do not reflect the hopes and aspirations of civil society and the public at large. We need to communicate our ideas better, but, fundamentally, we need more dialogue and not more monologues. A di- alogue which necessitates a feedback loop. Last but not least, focused, because our ultimate objective should be to offer a cred- ible alternative to that presented by the Labour Party. We need to develop a vision based on concrete solutions that can drive our country forward. Ultimately, we need to offer ourselves as a government-in-waiting that inspires confidence in the next general election. However, to get to that point and achieve these objectives, the Nationalist Party must first seek to heal the wounds that have de- veloped and been allowed to fester within it in recent years. Abraham Lincoln once said that a house divided against itself, cannot stand. We simply cannot be a credible al- ternative to the electorate unless we unite as a party. This is why unity is one of the main focal points of my campaign for the leadership of the Nationalist Party. The PN can once again be a catalyst for unleashing our coun- try's potential if only it were to focus on that which unites us rather than that which di- vides us. I will pull out all the stops in my efforts to get every person to and around the table of discussion, and mend bridges. Then, and only then, will be in a position to reach out to the wider community of families, businesses and stakeholders, and develop, all together a common vision for the future. A united and renewed PN will lead the way in proposing inspiring reforms that re-stablish our country's democratic foun- dations, restore our reputation and clout abroad, and forge a sustainable economy that makes a lasting impact on people's lives. A united and renewed PN would be a real alternative that people can vote for. This is how we will succeed. We unite, we renew, and we succeed Bernard Grech Bernard Grech is a candidate in the upcoming PN leadership election Unity is one of the main focal points of my campaign for the leadership of the Nationalist Party. The PN can once again be a catalyst for unleashing our country's potential if only it were to focus on that which unites us rather than that which divides us