Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/871892
18 Opinion maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 E arlier on this week I uploaded a post on Facebook whereby I stated that the PN's parliamentary group should publicly declare their preference between the two leadership candidates. I did this because I personally saw some of them secretly helping a candidate or worse-off seriously concerned by a possible outcome. Yet the majority still did not declare their position or preference. A team of journalists from MaltaToday followed up on my post and contacted all or most of the parliamentary group. Only a handful replied, and the majority avoided the issue under the premise that the party comes first, that they don't want to create further division and that they will eventually respect the outcome and work with any of the two leaders. I understand that with Adrian Delia riding on the wave of him versus 'the establishment', MPs might fear that if they endorse Chris Said this could go further to substantiate this unfounded claim. The term 'the establishment' is being wrongly used and has become the elephant in the room. But I disagree with the MPs not declaring their preference because of this. You don't address an issue by ignoring it or handling it with kid 's gloves but you address it, dissect it and challenge it. Subsequently their justifications of why they will not declare their preference is also wrong on a number of counts. Wrong assumption 1: The Party comes first…. By failing to declare a preference they are primarily protecting their position and mitigating their risk. Hence, they are acting in a way that they come first and not the party. Wrong assumption 2: Not to create further division… By having a preference you are not creating a division but you are being upfront and transparent to the public and both candidates alike. Divisions are created by working secretly, backstabbing and by not being honest and transparent. Both leadership candidates highlighted the importance of a free vote on national issues and yet the majority of the parliamentary group failed to take this opportunity to stand up and be counted on their preferred outcome. Wrong assumption 3: To respect and work with any leader… Well, it's not that they have much choice after the leader is elected. If they don't, they will be creating factions and a greater divide, with the risk of breaking up the party. MaltaToday also reported that a friend of mine and MP Robert Arrigo questioned whether Shaw had himself declared his preference. "It's very easy to call on others to declare theirs," he insisted. Robert Arrigo was out of point in considering me as an equal to an MP. It's f lattering but it's not the same. It's also easy to declare my preference and further to this I will also provide three solid reasons why and how I reached my decision. Why Chris Said Misconception of the 'new way' and 'change': Adrian Delia is an outsider, so it's human nature to assume that an outsider will bring on the necessary change. Yet this is not intrinsically true. First and foremost one has to see that the change is managed in the right way and where needed, and more importantly that that individual is the right agent for the required change. I agree that there is a lot of change to be done but I feel that Chris Said knows more what needs to be changed and will be in a better position to make the right and necessary changes. Chris Said has stated this but Delia's 'outsider' characteristic has overshadowed the fine print that people should have seen. Personality and leadership style: Adrian Delia has introduced more spark and energy than the other three candidates put together. He is outgoing, aggressive, loud and hands on. Yet, I'm of the opinion that this is not going to work well with the majority of the parliamentary group and the public that needs to switch back to PN. On the other hand, it's easier for Chris Said to up his game than for Adrian Delia to tone down where the new way will be my way or the high way! Video clips of Delia's speeches might appeal to the militant and hardcore, yet this is definitely not the ideal 'new' way. Strategy, Strategy, Strategy Being populist is a short-term strategy, and in politics this will come back to haunt you in the long-term. The lack of a good strategy is the reason why the PN is where it is today. People confuse tactics with strategy and just focus on the former, which at most times just skim the surface. Adrian Delia had a very good tactical approach to this election but I'm afraid that if elected these tactics can backfire on the forthcoming strategy and create more damage in the long run. The last thing that the PN needs is to become right-wing and in doing so push away a large number of professionals and intellectuals. This will open the doors wide for a new party. On the other hand I think that Chris Said can provide a positive vision and a path forward that's within the power of the crowd. One must understand that this leadership election does not only affect the PN and its followers. I believe that the PN could have handled this leadership search in a better manner. An interim leader could have been appointed, the party's direction and reshaping could have been formulated, letting a natural leader to emerge in due course. Yet, it is pointless to hammer the PN on this issue at this point and one has to move on. One thing is for sure, and that is that the outcome of this contest will eventually affect the political scene in Malta. I have no clear glass ball and the above is based on my opinion generated from an honest and genuine assessment. I'm also aware that my style and ideas are not shared by the majority and at times I feel that I'm not aptly represented. Whoever is elected has big challenges and responsibility. I might be proven right but this is irrelevant. Whilst time will tell, my concern is that the PN and the paid-up members cannot afford to get it wrong again. And if Adrian Delia is elected leader I sincerely wish that he proves me wrong, as the bigger picture is more relevant. Jonathan Shaw was a PN candidate in the European elections @shawjon I said Chris… Jonathan Shaw Being populist is a short-term strategy, and in politics this will come back to haunt you in the long-term