Skip to main content

Our new leader



In the second round of the leadership election being held today, Simon Busuttil will formally be appointed as the new leader of the Nationalist Party and its seventh leader in its 133 year history.

I know Simon as a very humble and honest person. A man you can openly discuss with and who is always open to criticism. That is in fact one of his best qualities. He does not push back people who criticize him or challenge his views. On the contrary, he is someone who can listen and bring different positions together.

Irrelevant of who we supported or voted for at the first round of this leadership contest, the councilors' free and democratic choice has been made. It was an open contest where we the councilors listened to every candidate's plans and views, where we discussed, where we asked, where we discerned. I am sure that now, all genuine Nationalists will unite around the new leader, as the other leadership contestants have themselves done in a true and exemplary display of gentlemanly behaviour.

On the other hand, as expected, Labour is already trying to discredit Busuttil.

Firstly, by saying that he has the support of only 50.3% of the party's councilors, conveniently forgetting that Muscat had obtained just 49% in his first round. At the same time, they also try to imply that some mean machine controls the way the councilors think and act. If that were the case, the result wouldn't have co-incidentally resulted in a perfect replica of the results of a survey among people who voted PN in the last election.

Their second line-of-attack is that Simon is already tried-and-tested. I contest that. On a local level, Simon is one of the new MPs, being the first time he has been elected to Parliament. Having been appointed deputy leader in the last 3 months of the previous election doesn't dismiss him. Yes, he was part of the losing team as were most of us, and as in fact was Joseph when he pushed for EU Partnership and campaigned against membership. The place where Simon has truly been tried-and-tested was the EU Parliament, a place where he won great respect and remarkable achievements for someone coming from a small country like Malta: was awarded the 2012 MEP of the Year Award and had he not returned to Malta, he was in the run to become a Vice-President of the EPP. Quite a display of loyalty and an example of putting the needs of the country and the party before your own interests. Something we all can learn from.

Some Labour-sympathizing blogs have gone on to say that Joseph must be very happy with this outcome. Well, I remember us all very happy when a manipulative journalist was elected as Labour leader, believing that another PN election win was for granted. He ended up proving us wrong.

I am sure Simon will do the same.

That is why today I will be voting to confirm his election as our leader, and will be looking forward for his first address to the General Council as Party Leader tonight. An address in which he will pave the way forward for the Nationalist Party as a re-grouped, renewed and strengthened party.

A new chapter is about to start. Let's be part of it. Let's help writing it.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Shema Yisrael, the cries of the Palestinian people

You live a peaceful life in a modest home. You've never bothered anyone and you've never caused trouble. Out of the blues, a group of people claim that they should live in your house. Why? Because they have been persecuted in a war, and they claim that some 5,000 years ago, their God had told them your home was their promised land. Somehow, the whole community agrees with their wishes, and asks you to grant them your spare-bedroom. You oblige. After a few months, they take the whole top-floor. In a few year's time, they take over your kitchen. After a few more years, they own your house and keep you and your family locked in the bathroom. They don't even allow you to get out, while they strip-search you the few times they do. Even if it's a medical emergency. Sometimes not even medical personnel and ambulances are allowed to see to your needs while your children die in your hands. Desperation starts hitting you. Life seems to offer no hopes. In moments

The Great Energy Proposal

I followed the example of a facebook comment uploaded on another blog to work out the savings my household will make with Labour's energy proposals. Our bill for of €717.80 for 7 months is divided into: An electricity service charge of €36.86 Electricity consumption of €404.83 A water service charge of €33.46 Water consumption of €242.65 Through the new tariff scheme, reducing the electricity consumption bill by 25% and the water consumption bill by 5%, our bill will read: An electricity service charge of €36.86 Electricity consumption of €303.62 A water service charge of €33.46 Water consumption of €230.52 A total of €604.46 for the same 7 months. A reduction of €16.20 a month. But this reduction comes at what price? This grand plan, the one we have been expecting for all these years, will materialize  if  we find a private investor ready to fork out €500 million in capital investment,  if  we reach a 10-year fixed price agreement,  if we manage to b

Why I am dropping out of the Anti-ACTA protest

Like many avid internet users, I have followed with interest the debate about ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement). After reading numerous articles, watched sensational videos, and discussed ad nauseam with friends, I have realized that what I have come across is a campaign hi-jacked by lies, myths and misconceptions as to rival Malta's misinformed divorce referendum campaign. I have to say that the videos on Youtube   got me worried. I quickly signed the petition, joined the Anti-ACTA groups, and prepared myself for a full-blown fight against the big-governments who want to intrude on our privacy and freedom of expression. Like our MEP Edward Scicluna invited us to do in the University debate last Wednesday, I did not try to understand the details of ACTA but rather saw who the players behind it were. But as usual, my logical instincts took over, and his call to not try to understand ACTA actually pushed me to read the text. And here's what I now know: ACTA is