I clearly remember a Maltese political leader who repeatedly lost elections, stubbornly refused to change the party’s direction, and refused to resign despite warnings that they were leading the party to defeat. His name was Alfred Sant and he is mostly known to many Labourites as the humble leader who kept the party in Opposition for twenty-five years. That’s what he is mostly known for, but he is also known for having fought against Dom Mintoff and called hi ma “traitor” in front of the Dockyard gate.
Remarkable political legacy.
Opposition and Nationalist Party Leader Bernard is walking into a similar fate as he repeatedly loses the elections to Labour without any hope that this may change. The Nationalist Party leader is deluding himself about being on a slow road to victory, but the polls clearly don’t show that. He’s in denial and those around him who still support him in his role are also in denial. PN officials like Executive President Joseh Grech have been eagerly shutting down discussions about leadership change in the executive, but a growing faction composed led by Alex Borg and Adrian Delia wants a change.
Yesterday, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech doubled down on his political strategy and said that he is not considering to form any coalition with a third-party. He said this despite the fact that non-voters and third-parties collectively make up as much a quarter of the electorate. Not only is Bernard Grech dismissing the same voters he needs to potentially form an alternative government, he is also blaming these voters for his own failure to convince them to join him.
Basically, Bernard Grech is trying to convince these people to vote for him out of political obligation and not with policies and vision. This is clearly not working, and even if he is right in thinking that society would be better off with a change of government, he can’t expect people to vote for him just because citizens have an obligation to do better. He, as a leader, should be the one to lead by example and conviction and can’t force the moral burden about the prospect of a change of government unto the undecided electors. It’s his responsibility to lead and win.
We have seen exemplary leadership by previous President Joe Biden and also Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who conceded their nominations for the sake of a party victory. I still can’t understand what’s so special about Bernard Grech, but more importantly, I don’t understand why the Nationalists seem content with losing the next general election and leaving us to endure another five years of a Labour government. Aren’t they supposed to make sure they win the election and form a new government? What is the point of being in politics if you plan to stay in Opposition for an extended period of time? Might as join Moviment Graffitti then.
I write this with a sense logic and objective analsyis about the local political scene. I have nothing personal against Bernard Grech, although it’s sad that our society is as immature to the extent that I have to make these disclaimers. I even have a lot of personal respect for him, but I also respect him enough to tell him that what he’s doing is wrong and doomed to fail as recent history has shown us. I hope the Nationalist Party wins the next elections and Labour goes into Opposition, but I fear that Bernard Grech is not going to make this happen and society should do something about, unless we want another five years of Labour.
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