Delia says PN should be more positive, win back respect from voters

Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia today said that some parts of the economy are doing good, and that although the party has obligations towards the people who still find themselves in difficulties, it must nonetheless acknowledge this fact and remain positive.

Even in Parliament, he said, the party shouldn’t only be there to criticise.

Delia’s comments came after PN MP’s told this newspaper that they were worried that the new leader was seeking to align the PN with the Labour party.

Delia today said that it is the PNs duty to show the people that it is able to improve the party and set the country’s agenda.

“We don’t have a right to be in government. But we have a duty to work towards winning back the respect of people.”

However, it was still the PN who, throughout history, changed the face of Malta, Delia said. Referring to sectors such as manufacturing and tourism, he said that much of the economic progress of today owes itself to past PN administrations.

“If a corrupt government can bring progress, a clean government can do so much more,” Delia said, promising that he will "give Malta back to the Maltese."

Delia said that it was important for the party to be able to admit where it has done wrong, just as it should be proud of its achievements.

On the subject of party unity, Delia said that it is important for the PN to present one message, in one voice, with a clear direction to the public, despite the fact that the party’s members are diverse.

Delia also said he wants for the party to provide accountability for the party’s spendings each year, so that contributors would know exactly how their money is being spent.

The financial situation of the party is precarious, he said, and this is why a number of party clubs had to be placed into a trust. This way, the situation will at least stabilise.

Regarding the recent fundraising marathon, Delia said he made attempts to speak to the people who gave donations in order to understand why.

He said that the Labour party was trying to make it seem as if the fundraising exercise was some sort of business, but that the PN collected real donations from real people, whose stories they listened to. “Unlike the [PL], the [PN] does not make use of financial arrangements and does not steal public and private property.”