Whatever next!

So the MEP and local council elections are over. In both cases the PN got a good trashing, note of which should be seriously taken by the PN administration. The message in both cases was clear enough for the PN: either to wake up and do what is good for the country or else you are out as soon as the opportunity arises.

The Prime Minister and leader of the PN, Lawrence Gonzi, was man enough to admit defeat; but, as expected, with some reservations. Whatever excuses he has put forward should not be considered as any consolation for the bad results the PN obtained in both cases. He should now understand that the PN does not have any God-given right to govern our country. The people have now learned that, unless a party in government delivers on its promises, the people will reject it. The number of hard-core party followers is getting smaller and smaller and that of floaters is getting bigger and bigger. The latter has become the decider in any election.

As a staunch Nationalist, I would like to point out that I was not very happy with some of the answers given by the PM and the PN general secretary, Joe Saliba, during the press conferences following the elections. I got the impression that, especially the latter, was trying to turn a loss situation into a win situation. This amounts to imitating Alfred Sant after last year's referendum.

Whatever next now? It is true that there are four more years to go till the next general election. But time passes very quickly. And, unless the Prime Minister really takes the bull by the horns, the PN will have no chance at the next general election. Therefore, I would like to make the following suggestions to our Prime Minister:

1. To settle immediately the matter of the alleged abuse of power by Minister John Dalli in connection with the Iranian shipping line. If this is done very quickly and, to the satisfaction of the electorate, it would show that the Prime Minister fulfils his promises and makes him look firm and determined in his actions.

2. I am sure he knows perfectly well that some of his ministers are not performing well. Although some ministries have changed hands, most of the old faces are still there. Therefore, a reshuffle, changing the tired old lot with some new blood, would certainly help to regenerate the administration with new vigour.

3. It seems as though the PN has become a party of cliques. The leader has to understand and to ensure that the party does not belong to a chosen few but to all its supporters.

4. The country's deficit is still uncontrollable. Now, that he has also assumed the responsibility of Finance Minister, he should make sure and, be seen to make sure, that it is reduced to a sustainable level. This should be done without taxing any further the people, industry and tourism. First steps should be taken to curb government spending, which is getting bigger by the day and to exercise maximum efficiency in the civil service.

5. Although, finally, some roads are being redone, the rest of the roads in Malta and Gozo are a total disgrace to our country. They are so bad that drivers have to swerve this way and that to avoid running into potholes and damaging their vehicles with no redress to anybody. Sometimes these manoeuvres are the cause of accidents. The people deserve much better treatment for the excessive amount of taxes they are paying.

6. In connection with the second statement I put forward, I regret to state that some ministers have become very arrogant and inconsiderate. Suffice it to say that, recently I was at a prominent club in Sliema where an 80-year-old man told me he has been trying to fix an appointment with a minister for a number of years with no success. This is just one instance I know about. I am sure there are many other similar ones. Hence, the reason for the need of a big change in the Cabinet.

There are many more deficiencies, which, I am sure Dr Gonzi knows about. If he does not, then he does not deserve the position he holds.

I will conclude by hoping he will take heed of the suggestions mentioned above which, after all, reflect the bad situation that most of the people are experiencing in their everyday life.

I also wish to augur to both the Prime Minister and to the party that those party followers who, feeling disgruntled and disenchanted by the performance of the government, have decided to show their disapproval by not voting or voting to another party in the above-mentioned elections would return to their fold.