PN candidates lacked impact on the ground, post-election feedback finds

Concerns that Nationalist Party candidates did not present themselves effectively in the last election campaign should prompt a stronger presence and deeper grassroots engagement, according to party President for Political Research Mary Anne Lauri.

Speaking at the opening of the PN General Council on Wednesday, Lauri said feedback from more than 1,000 people, gathered through written submissions and five regional assemblies, pointed to shortcomings in how some candidates communicated and connected with voters.

Many respondents, she said, believed not all candidates had made sufficient impact on the ground and called for greater visibility in specific localities, as well as a return to more direct contact with voters “in streets and homes, not just online or in the media”.

Nationalist Party President for Political Research Mary Anne Lauri

Lauri said the feedback would now be analysed within the party’s structures and formed part of a wider post-election reflection exercise.

She said a recurring theme across the consultation was organisational weakness, with respondents repeatedly highlighting coordination, structure and decision-making as areas in need of improvement. Activists, she added, wanted to be more closely involved in the party’s work.

Lauri also highlighted what respondents described as a positive “Alex Borg effect”, with the PN leader associated with “new energy, credibility, authenticity, hope and the ability to attract new people”. Many participants said he had helped revive enthusiasm within the party.

While the party’s policy proposals were widely praised as strong and substantive—particularly on energy, taxation, transport, family policy, healthcare and pensions—some respondents said they had been published too late in the campaign and did not reach enough voters.

Some participants also emphasised the need for the PN to present itself as a more inclusive and modern party, able to welcome people of different religions, cultures and beliefs and broaden its appeal across all sections of society

Lauri said another key factor emerging from the feedback was a lack of trust among some voters, rooted in past experiences that had created an emotional distance between the party and parts of the electorate.

She said the overall message was that the PN “did not lose because it lacked ideas, but because it has not yet built sufficient trust with the public”.

Some participants also emphasised the need for the PN to present itself as a more inclusive and modern party, able to welcome people of different religions, cultures and beliefs and broaden its appeal across all sections of society.

From the regional assemblies, Lauri said participants raised concerns about communication, arguing that the party’s message was often too complex and not clearly explained. She said there was a call for simpler, more consistent messaging that better reflects people’s everyday concerns.

Other issues included perceptions of a media and social media imbalance, with respondents saying the governing Labour Party had a stronger ability to shape public narratives. Some also raised concerns about the use of incumbency advantages and called for electoral reform and stronger oversight.

Participants also pointed to weaknesses in voter data systems, organisational inefficiencies and a need for improved training, coordination and volunteer mobilisation.

Lauri said there was a strong emphasis on reaching non-voters, described by many as a key opportunity for future growth.

Despite the criticism, she said many participants viewed the campaign and manifesto positively and expressed optimism about the party’s future direction, while others urged a stronger focus on issues such as corruption and accountability.

Calls were also made for the PN to present itself as more inclusive and modern, capable of appealing to a broader range of communities.

Lauri concluded that the consultation process showed a party in reflection but with “clear determination and hope” for future success.

“In summary, people want change, but they are not yet convinced that the PN has changed enough to deliver it,” she said.