There to serve

Last weekend brought to an end the Nationalist Party's general council which, after an open discussion, saw its councillors approve a number of amendments to the party's statute. It was a very fitting birthday celebration for a party which is 125 years old but still very much active and young in spirit. A party which is not afraid to continue its ongoing reform, without changing its fundamental principles based on Catholic values. That is why the party was and still is close to the people's needs and why the people rewarded it with the running of the country.

Since its foundation, the party always faced changes and challenges without fear but with determination. All its leaders, starting from Fortunato Mizzi and Enrico Mizzi to today's leader Lawrence Gonzi, believed in the potential of the Maltese citizens. That is why they were never afraid to promote changes they deemed right for the nation.

It was the PN that believed that the Maltese had the right to have their own Constitution, to have their own representation in the government council and, most significantly, the right for an independent nation. When these were attained, they believed that an independent Malta deserved to maximise its potential. To do so, there was no other way other than being a member of the European Union.

In all these decisions, the party showed its ability to read the needs of the country and in the face of adversity had the courage to implement these decisions. Ultimately, the judgment of time proved that, despite doubt and fear, the party was right in its decisions.

The PN was also the party that gave birth to the local councils. Local councils were one of the bravest steps the PN in government took. The government decided to reduce some of its power and hand it over to the citizens, who are now able to make the decisions affecting them and their locality directly. Who more than the residents know what is best for themselves and their locality?

The PN is a guarantee both on a national and local level. But why? Politics for the PN means a way of serving the nation and the locality and is never a form of greed and power. The PN believes in values and its principles are never withered or abdicated for votes.

So on Saturday when one third of the population goes to the polls the vote has to be a clear vote of confidence in the PN and its candidates. The reason is that they are there to serve their locality and its residents and they do it because they believe in the individual as the centre of all activity.