Francis Zammit Dimech pins leadership bid on ‘honesty and integrity’

Nationalist Party clubs and sectional committees must be at the heart of the party's renewal process, veteran MP Francis Zammit Dimech said.

"We cannot look ahead without giving more importance to honesty and integrity, in politics the most important thing is not what you say or promise but what you do for the country's benefit," Zammit Dimech stressed.

Outlining his vision for the PN, Zammit Dimech said the party must be anchored to jobs, opportunities and political and economic freedom.

The MP was addressing a meeting with PN councillors in Qawra, where he launched his manifesto for the forthcoming PN leadership contest, in which Zammit Dimech will be facing off deputy leader Simon Busuttil, former minister Mario de Marco and businessman Ray Bugeja.

"I want to listen and learn from our party's roots," Zammit Dimech said, while stressing the importance of strengthening the party's presence on a local level.

The councillors who will be casting their vote in the first round of the elections on 4 May, were presented with Zammit Dimech's manifesto which he said included "concrete" proposals for the 12 months ahead aimed at "renewing and strengthening" the PN.

Zammit Dimech emphasised the central role sectional committees play in his plans, adding that this should be coupled by a strong membership drive.

He also stressed the need to revise the PN's statute, "to ensure that the party reflects the needs of a party in a modern society and remain the party of all."

The PN also needed to reach out to all sectors of society, above all to civil society which must be directly consulted in the policy making processes, the MP noted.

In addition, Zammit Dimech said that the PN's headquarters "must once again become a hub of political activity," underlining the need for further discussion, improving communication channels and cultural activities.

On the PN's media, Zammit Dimech said: "We need to have a thorough look at our media. What is the use in having the best policies if the message does not get through to voters."