Only fools rush in

PN should first decide on a new direction and then choose the best person. The PN is to have its own version of the conclave.

Photo: timesofmalta.com

Beyond the religious connotations, the mindset behind the conclave offers a good acumen of how one can have a seamless transition of leadership.

In the days leading up to the actual conclave, cardinals gather for a number of meetings during which they not only undertake an appraisal of the situation but also outline a way forward to address the challenges ahead. Once a broad consensus is reached, only then do they proceed to identify the person who has the best qualities to uphold and promote this updated vision and direction.

In short, they first agree on the direction and only then do they proceed to choose the person who has the ability to deliver such a vision.

In the coming months, the Nationalist Party (PN) will have its own version of the conclave.

Will the PN be wise enough to take a leaf out of the conclave’s mindset, based on decades of astuteness?

It would be superficial if one were to believe that the PN only needed a new leader. During these years, the party elected three leaders and, despite each one giving their utmost, sadly the party registered the same results.

Thus, for the party to retain its relevancy it must be courageous enough to revisit its vision, its identity and its raison d’être. We had our political success when we were bold enough to propose independence, the upholding of democracy and, then, our European Union membership.

As an alternative government in waiting, we must then come forth with a convincing vision and a tangible project that inspires voters to choose us from the everlasting sleazy Labour Party.

Based on our core values, there are a number of issues to consider, of which I would like to emphasise three.

Firstly, we need to promote a truly European way of governance as our next democratic quantum leap. It is not enough to be just an EU member and act that way when it is convenient. Having Mediterranean traits does not excuse us for not embracing European standards of governance. We need to be bold enough to undergo a radical shift in mentality and introduce a European mindset by making our various levels of governance/institutions truly accountable, transparent and autonomous from the executive. We badly need a European overhaul.

Sadly, many of our youths are leaving the island because they want to live the European dream.

Secondly, we need to embrace the green agenda and transform our nation into an eco-Malta. The well-being of the environment, in the broadest sense of the term, is our future. That our environment is in a perilous state is an understatement. One has only to glance around to acknowledge the systematic uglification of our nation.

The silver lining is that our young generation is becoming increasingly conscientious and assertively advocating for the environment. The ongoing Manoel Island debacle confirms this. Thus, we must be courageous enough to take the bull by its horns and treat the environment as a priority, over profit at all costs. We need to recalibrate our economy to promote quality over quantity, ask difficult questions and take difficult stands if we want to save our island from turning into one big ugly construction site.

Lastly, we must have a robust social policy. We need to foster a more caring society in which we support those who are on the fringes of our communities and address the ever-growing social injustice and disparities between the haves and the have-nots.

We must further support our elderly to enable them to continue living in their local communities with dignity and empower workers and families to go through their daily lives with dignity and reassurance. The measure of success of our nation is not only based on a strong GDP but on the ability for everyone to succeed.

It is only once this vision is revised that we will be prepared to pass on to the next stage and invite candidates with a good reputation and who are team players to come forward.

On our part, then we have the responsibility to choose the best person who has the right personal and professional qualities, acumen and experience to implement the chosen vision.

The conclave’s mindset, thinking outside the box, pleasantly and surprisingly chose a US cardinal as Peter’s successor.

Thus, this is my recommendation, that, in view of the fact that any election is divisive by nature, it would be wiser to first take our time to evaluate our identity, our values and which direction we would like to take and only then identify the best person who ticks most of the boxes.

Only fools rush in.

(This article was published on Times of Malta – 19 June, 2025)