What the people say

I am gratified I am interpreting the true feeling of the grassroots of the Nationalist Party. Many have stopped me in the streets and many others have come up to me to tell me of their concerns about the present state of affairs within the PN.

They speak, as I do, because they love the party and are loyal to the party. They want the party to grow as it did in the past and not shrink as it is doing today. They want the party to be inclusive and hate to see the selective process that the party management has embarked upon in placing friendly faces in positions that would determine internal elections.

What are the people saying? I am reproducing excerpts of some e-mails I have received as a reaction to the contribution I made in The Sunday Times titled Facing The Facts.

"I read your article on the internet. You must be using quite a bit of restraint to stop you from shouting out to everybody 'I told you so!' It is tragic to see how the current party leaders are alienating everybody who had worked so hard for the party.

"I could feel this alienation before I left for... but I can also feel it now from what my friends tell me over the phone and e-mails I receive.

"I wish you all the luck; you have a tough battle ahead but if there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact me."

"I have just read once again your contribution... about the result of the local elections and the attitude being taken by the PN. Thank you for saying what has to be said. Keep it up. Am sure the majority of true Nationalists think exactly the same. Personally, I think it is very improbable that we see any changes but at least I am glad that someone will try to make them happen."

"I really enjoyed reading your article on The Sunday Times. It was to the point and straightforward. I share your views 100 per cent. If we continue heading this way we will be governed by Alfred Sant in two-and-a-half years' time." (Original was written in Maltese.)

"The people don't know what lies ahead. They are scared as they are fed the wrong information. The party's resources vis-à-vis the media are not being used correctly. Insensitive decisions that do not reflect social considerations are alienating the Nationalists from the party. The apathy in the manner elections are being managed is abominable. Speakers are somewhat uneasy lest they say something which is not in conformity and so do not speak their mind...

"I used to form part of a Labour family but in 1981 I started to vote PN and even became a member. I never looked back. Today I am worried about the party." (Original was written in Maltese.)

"I appreciate your article very much. It was high time they receive a good bashing. Please do keep it up before it is too late. I hate to think Alfred Sant can take over."

"I much enjoyed reading your article in The Sunday Times today. I would like to encourage you to renew the party we have suffered so much for. You are now the only voice from within and thus the only hope for many party supporters and Maltese citizens!

"My wife and I both come from strong 'Mintoffian' families. We are now in our 50s but in the 1970s we both clashed heavily with them only to be isolated just because we believed in truth, freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, growth, equality and so forth. We even became party members!"

"I fully agree with your assessment and conclusions. I look to you to save our glorious party and hope you will continue to find support."

"How gratifying to still have someone in the party that has the courage to call a spade a spade! Your contribution today deserves to be heeded.

"The social soul of the party has been diluted to dangerous levels. There is no wisdom in taking hard decisions while being condescending towards those who suffer materially or in the silence of their hearts as a result of the implementation of these decisions.

"The clinical attitude is too rigid for an inclusive policy to be credible.

"I hope your message will succeed."

This is the voice of the people and they must be heeded. They transcend the personal interests that some who are operating the wheels of the party might have.

I also do not want this country to be handed over to the Labour Party under its present leadership. I know that for this not to happen there must be a change of tack within the party so that it is strengthened to face the difficult road ahead of us. My duty is to push for this change.

Mr Dalli is a former Nationalist Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance.

jd@dbms.com.mt