PN spin doctor says party cannot be ‘spectator’ in changing society

The Nationalist Party's information director Frank Psaila has posed the question in an editorial at the close of last weekend’s PN general council, of whether Malta had fully absorbed the spirit of the European Union seven years from joining. “It is important for us to question, as we find ourselves at an important crossroads in our history, if seven years on since joining the EU, has the EU been fully absorbed by Malta,” Frank Psaila said..

In his editorial, Psaila stresses on the fact that the PN anchored Malta within the EU giving it a voice and a say at the decision table.

“It is imperative that we ask ourselves if our society is truley inclusive, compassionate and that does not judge: values by which we aimed to strengthen by joining the EU,” he said, adding that the PN general council drew wide consensus that “before the complexities of a modern society, the PN needs to be, as always, a leading protagonist that sees to the destiny of the Maltese and not remain a spectator.”

Frank Psaila’s comments are reminiscent of a reflection made by philosopher Joe Friggieri in a keynote speech he delivered to the PN general council last Sunday, when he stressed that the “PN cannot expect the wind not to blow through the window open window.”

Psaila is reportedly engaged in approaching a number of disillusioned MPs and activists, also known for their liberal-leaning positions, in a bid to bring them back into the fold and stress on the importance of their participation within the party.

But Psaila’s task is not an easy one, as apathy has sunk into the psyche of many who claim that the divisions within the party can only be fixed with a change in leadership, and have resigned to the notion that this is close to impossible.

Friggieri’s observation has got the PN talking, triggering further internal currents that are pushing for an ‘update’ of the party’s ‘Basic Principles’ (Fehmiet Bazici) in the aftermath of the May 28 referendum which saw almost 53% of the electorate say ‘Yes’ to the introduction of divorce.

The result upset the party’s leadership and embarrassed Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who had publically announced his opposition to divorce, and also led his party to take a clear stand against it.

As the party remains split between conservative and liberal-leaning factions, the party’s think-tank headed by MEP Simon Busuttil and the youth section MZPN are individually reported to be racing against time to have amendments drafted and ready to be proposed to the PN’s executive by September.

But one week after the general council, MPs, party officials and supporters are still asking on how the promised “reconciliation” and calls for “unity” by the leadership is to come about.

Backbencher Franco Debonolamented the lack of importance given to accountability during the PN’s general council, after the government survived a motion against the €35,000 increase in ministerial salaries that the Cabinet awarded itself in May 2008. “After the honoraria issue, I would have liked to hear more concrete speeches about accountability and transparency, which is what our parliamentary democracy really needs today,” said Debono, who in December 2009 absented himself from crucial parliamentary votes in protest at the lack of attention given to backbenchers and calls for reform.

The MP, a supporter of party finance reform, said the PN general council also failed to mention the need for a law on party financing. “This law is of utmost importance, and directly concerns political parties, and it will bring a whole culture change.”

Debono has been entrusted by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi with the compilation of a report on party financing, before resuming tripartite talks on the subject. He us using the 1995 Galdes Report as a basis to his proposals and will recommend the inclusion of Alternattiva Demokratika in talks.

It is yet unclear if the talks will be held within an ad-hoc parliamentary committee, but Franco Debono stressed that he will “ensure that talks will happen.”