Guest Post: It’s Time To Think Bigger – Why I’m Contesting For A Renewed Nationalist Party
The Nationalist Party is more than a political organisation. It is the Party that shaped modern Malta.
From EU accession to education reforms, infrastructure to digital investment, we were the force behind Malta’s most important leaps forward.
But today, we must face a difficult truth. We are no longer that party. Not in spirit, not in purpose, and not in the way people see us. And unless we rise to this moment, with courage and clarity, we risk becoming irrelevant to the very people we were created to serve.
That is why I am contesting the leadership of the Partit Nazzjonalista. Not out of convenience. But out of conviction. Because I love this Party; and I know it can be so much more than what it is today.
We are at a defining juncture. And if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit: our message is not reaching people. Our structure is outdated. Our tone often sounds disconnected from the realities of today’s families, workers, business owners, and youth.
We are not short of talent. We are not short of history. But we are short of vision. We have become reactive, when we were born to lead. Defensive, when we were known for bold ideas. Nostalgic, when we should be future-focused. So how did we get here?
Slowly, over time, we stopped thinking big. We stopped dreaming. We became afraid to challenge ourselves, to reinvent, to embrace the changes happening all around us; from digital transformation to shifting social values.
But Malta has not stopped changing. The world has not stood still. We live in an era of rapid technological disruption, global uncertainty, and deep mistrust in politics. Our institutions are being tested.
Our economy is being reshaped. Our social fabric is evolving. If the PN doesn’t transform to meet this new reality, it will not survive, let alone lead. This is not just about the next election. This is about the next generation.
We need to rebuild from the ground up: our identity, our structure, our leadership culture, and our message. We need to become a party that doesn’t just reflect the country, but reimagines it. That listens more, lectures less. That inspires rather than instructs.
This leadership contest must not be about who shouts loudest or who holds the oldest allegiance. It must be about ideas. About energy. About who has the credibility and courage to lead transformation.
I respect Adrian Delia and anyone who puts themselves forward to lead. But I believe the contest should be a race of vision. And I want to put forward a clear, ambitious, and structured roadmap to renew the party and make it a serious, modern force that the public can trust.
This starts by being brutally honest. We are not financially sustainable. We are not digitally equipped. And we are not yet organised to compete with a Labour Party that is well- resourced, well-oiled, and strategically focused.
We need to review everything: our statute, our structures, our assets, and how we operate. We must modernise Dar Ċentrali, take tough decisions on our properties and media, and reorganise ourselves into a lean, professional political force.
We must also open our doors to new people. Talent doesn’t come only from within. We need new candidates, new experts, new thinkers; people from all walks of life who want to serve. And above all, we must behave like a team, not a divided house. But renewal is not just internal. Our message to the nation must change. People don’t want slogans. They want ideas, plans, values they can relate to. We must become the party of credibility, of reform, of serious opposition and ultimately, of real leadership.
This is not about winning headlines. It’s about rebuilding trust. And that takes time, consistency, and unity. We also need to prepare for the unexpected. I have no doubt that the Prime Minister is considering calling an early election; not because the country needs one, but to catch us off guard. To derail our efforts to regroup. To exploit our uncertainty.
We must be ready. Steadfast. Focused. We cannot afford to sprint and burn out. This is a marathon; and we need a long-term mindset and discipline.
If I am entrusted with leading the Nationalist Party, I promise to give it my full heart, my full energy, and a clear, structured programme of change. We will think big. We will act bold. And we will rebuild not just for ourselves, but for Malta.
The time to fix the past is over. The time to shape the future is now. Let this contest be one of courage, ideas, and ambition. Let the best vision win; and let the Nationalist Party win back its soul.
Alex Borg is a Member of Parliament and PN Leadership candidate