‘United, we can regain the public’s trust’ – Simon Busuttil

"The Nationalist Party has been the strongest visionary force behind our country's extraordinary development, and it can win the public's trust once more if we unite together, re-establish ourselves as a people's party and provide the right solutions for our country," PN leadership contender Simon Busuttil said today.

Addressing journalists at a press conference to mark the end of his leadership campaign, Busuttil pointed out the key messages based on feedback he had received throughout the campaign.

Among these were the need to make the Party much more accessible to those who wanted to give their support and voice their ideas, the need to involve the grassroots in policy-making, the need to address urgently the Party's financial situation and the need for a strong, trained team of candidates.

"A new leader must immediately take measures to bring the Party closer to the public and to dispel, once and for all, the idea that there is a small group of individuals that holds all influence within the Party," Busuttil said.

"What I'm after is a strong, united leadership, not a leader."

Busuttil put forward the four main priorities which he would implement in the first weeks if elected leader. These include the formation of four new commissions to propose changes to ensure the sustainability of the Party's commercial arm, changes to the Party's statute to make its internal structures more accessible and new guidelines on the choice of candidates and political integrity.

Another initiative would be the setting up of a College for former candidates and MPs.

Busuttil appealed to all councillors to unite behind a new leader from this coming Saturday. The Nationalist Party must become the people's party once more, and it can regain the public's trust if it unites behind a new leadership team.