Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/920426
Opinion 21 maltatoday SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2017 don't buy it. Reach-out Outside the Nationalist Party headquarters, there are people – some of the best economic minds in the country – willing to help the party develop a real alternative to the short- term economic policies of this government. The party should lose no time in roping them in. I still encounter the occasional Nationalist Party supporter who, following Delia's election, feels politically orphaned. But there is an increasing number of PN supporters who, despite not having voted for Delia, are aware that deserting the party is not an option – for that would only help Labour to continue riding roughshod over those who oppose it; and they see that Delia is doing his best to reach out to them too; and appreciate that. Delia needs to ensure that his efforts are not wasted by the occasional individual who thinks that, because he/she supported his leadership bid, can speak on his behalf – their effect is the polar opposite of what Delia is trying to achieve. His predecessors had the misfortune of having individuals who thought that they could speak, and act on their behalf. The rest is history. Delia should be wary of that – at all times. They come in sheep's clothing, and wreak havoc wherever they are. Those who wish that Delia fails are foolishly cutting their nose to spite their face – for if the Nationalist Party suffers another heav y defeat in 2022 its very existence would be at stake; and they politically dead. The new Nationalist Party leader should be allowed to carry on with his job. Those who have misgivings about the Delia leadership, but want to give the man and their party another chance, should be given the platform to contribute in the party's revolution of confidence. Bridging currents There will come a time when the Nationalist Party will be returned to government. Till then, the current leadership needs to tread carefully. A balancing act is needed to bridge two currents within the party: one which argues in favour of addressing people's daily needs with the need for good governance; the other, a small but significant part of its electorate, maintains that good governance should be the party's priority number one. No side should be dismissed – but it is the party leadership's responsibility to bridge these two currents. If it does, it would be in a better position to reach out to an electorate which currently, sees no reason why it should vote Labour out of power but which, eventually, would want a change and when that happens the Nationalist Party has to be ready to show the way. I trust that it will. For despite a widening gap between the leaders, I see the will and determination of Adrian Delia to achieve what the Nationalist Party badly needs: a revolution of confidence. The Nationalist Party needs to believe that it can do it; that it can offer the electorate a better alternative to Labour. There will be enormous difficulties along the way. It will take time, and a lot of effort, but given the right attitude it will get there; perhaps sooner than expected. Minds can be changed by standing with people, listening to them and giving them hope. The Nationalist Party should focus on putting across this simple message: "We erred, at times greatly. We thought we had a divine right to govern – that was arrogant; and we regret it. But, together, we laid the foundations which led to the current economic success. Our ambition is to make that better – for you, and your family. A stronger, fairer Malta is our solution." Frank Psaila is a lawyer, and anchors Iswed fuq l-Abjad on NET TV I see the will and determination of Adrian Delia to achieve what the Nationalist Party badly needs: a revolution of confidence