The small political party Azzjoni Nazzjonali said this morning that it would cease to be a political party.

"After an extensive period of deliberation, the executive committee of Azzjoni Nazzjonali has unanimously resolved that the principles and values held by AN would be better served and propagated if it ceased to be a political party," the party said.

It explained that the decision was based on numerous factors.

"The electoral laws are deliberately engineered in a fashion that makes it virtually impossible for a third party to be represented in parliament," it said.

It added that increasing numbers of the electorate had lost all trust in the entire political class.

Furthermore, it said, the real challenges facing the country were primarily of a cultural rather than a political nature.

"In the short term future, the party shall call a general meeting with the purpose of seeking endorsement for changes in the statute that would transform AN from a political party into an organisation that promotes and disseminates conservative values and to approve the necessary structures that will be required in order to do so effectively."

AN, led by Josie Muscat, performed badly at the last general election - when it campaigned mostly on anti illegal immigration - and came nowhere near having any of its candidates elected. It got just under 1,500 votes.