Alex Borg and the politics of moral purpose

On September 6, the Nationalist Party elected Alex Borg as its new leader. At just 30 years old, Borg represents a generational shift within the party and, potentially, within Maltese politics. His victory speech set the tone for what could become a new chapter for the PN: “Those who did not vote for me did not vote against me.”

 It was a gesture of reconciliation, an invitation to unity and a promise that his leadership would be about building bridges.

The next day, speaking to supporters at the PN headquarters, Borg struck an even broader note: “This is our moment, the moment of Malta and Gozo, the moment of the Nationalist Party. We must come together to build a better future.”

They were words of direction – a declaration that politics must once again be animated by purpose.

Purpose is the word Malta urgently needs to hear. For too long, political life has been reduced to transactions: who gets what, which lobby wins, which promise secures a vote. But politics, at its best, is not about patronage. It is about responsibility – to one another, to the vulnerable and to generations yet to come.

The idea of moral purpose is central here. It is what binds citizens together beyond the limits of law or contract. It is the conviction that we are not merely individuals competing for advantage but a community entrusted with shared values and common goods.

In recent years, this moral foundation has weakened. Public office has too often been treated as a prize rather than a trust. Decisions have tilted towards the powerful at the expense of the weak. Ethical debates have been reduced to slogans or avoided altogether.

Borg’s leadership must be about restoring this moral purpose.

One of Borg’s distinguishing traits seems to be that he grounds his politics in conviction. On issues such as abortion, in-vitro fertilisation, pre-natal testing and euthanasia, he has spoken clearly: for him, life is sacred and cannot be treated merely as a technical procedure or a matter of convenience. Not all Maltese will agree with his views but what matters is that he has the courage to articulate a moral compass.

Borg has an opportunity to show that politics can be more than the management of resources. It can be about conscience, about holding fast to values even in the face of pressure.

The greater challenge is to transform conviction into a shared purpose – one that speaks not just to party loyalists  but to the full diversity of Maltese society.

Moral purpose begins with concrete commitments: transparency and accountability, planning with integrity and intergenerational responsibility. Contracts should be made public, anti-corruption bodies truly independent and institutions act without fear or favour.

There should be rules that protect Malta’s cultural heritage and Gozo’s unique character and safeguards that preserve natural habitats from reckless development.

Every major project must be judged not only on immediate cost but also on its long-term impact on future generations.

At its heart, moral purpose demands stewardship. Malta’s environment, its coastal villages and its fragile countryside are treasures entrusted to us. Borg, hailing from Gozo, understands this instinctively. If he can elevate stewardship of land and sea into a guiding principle of his leadership, he could help Malta recover not only its natural beauty but also its sense of ethical pride.

Alex Borg and Adrian Delia can bring back Malta from the jungle and restore its pride- Tony Mifsud

Malta needs something deeper: a restoration of trust through moral purpose, a vision that transcends party lines and survives the life of governments.

Borg must anchor his leadership in the PN’s historic values: human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity and European commitment.

He must see that every person has value, and policy protects life and rights and promotes responsibilities.

He must stand with families, workers and vulnerable groups, ensuring that growth is balanced by fairness.

He must empower communities and councils so that decisions are taken at the most local, effective level.

He must keep Malta firmly rooted in a strong, democratic European Union, one that values freedom, rule of law and cooperation.

These values provide a framework through which Borg can demonstrate that the PN is not only a party of government but also a party of conscience – one that is ready to lead Malta into the future with integrity. If he is to succeed, Maltese society must rediscover its appetite for civic duty and its willingness to hold leaders accountable.

Borg’s election opens a window of opportunity. He is young and energetic. He has spoken of unity, of service, of opening the PN to all.

The question is whether he can translate those words into actions that restore Malta’s moral self-belief.

If he succeeds, his leadership will not only revitalise the PN. It will help the country recover the moral compass that has always been the foundation of Maltese identity: fairness, solidarity, stewardship and a deep respect for human dignity.

Malta stands at a crossroads. Borg can help Malta rediscover its higher calling. If he makes moral purpose the heart of his leadership, he could do more than win elections. He could renew the very soul of Maltese politics.

Adrian Delia, who garnered almost as many votes as Borg in the leadership election, can surely help Borg do this, especially if he becomes the deputy leader of the party.  

The A A tandem is a powerhouse. With all the other party MPs, Alex and Adrian can bring back Malta from the jungle and restore its pride, even in a short time.

Tony Mifsud studied politics and social affairs in Oxford.