Over the span of a few days, Robert Abela’s stance on Manoel Island shifted dramatically from praising the proposed project to agreeing with calls to turn it into a national park.

Whether it was intentional or not, it looks like a masterful political move.

While a few PN MPs were quick to agree with the petitioners’ proposal, the party itself took its time to jump on the bandwagon.

The fact that the concession was granted by a PN administration to a consortium of major Maltese businesses likely complicated issues. This wasn’t a Vitals or Steward, composed of mainly foreign interests, but a group of local businesses, at least some of whom have donated to the party.

Besides there are thousands of bondholders, regular citizen investors whose investments risk getting thrown into limbo if the project is scrapped.

And so Bernard Grech’s initial response was tame, stating that while the idea of turning Manoel Island into a park was a “beautiful dream”, the concession had to be honoured.

But politics is all about making tough decisions, and Grech didn’t seize the moment. Instead, he defended the contract, only to U-turn when faced with a backlash from his own MPs.

Abela also U-turned in favour of a national park, but the advantage of being in government is that he now has the chance to deliver tangible results.

People will forgive his initial stance in favour of the project if the final result is a permanent natural green lung in a hugely developed area.

And by changing his stance, Abela has completely neutralised the PN on an issue which has managed to galvanise thousands of people.

Grech’s initial stance in favour of the concession means he cannot realistically say that he successfully pressured the government to change its mind.

His U-turn means he can no longer argue in favour of developing the area, stress the importance of honouring contractual obligations, or advocate for the 5,000 bondholders who have already invested in the project either.

While both leaders changed course, only one stands to gain from it. Abela now has the platform to turn public sentiment into long-term policy and cement his legacy as a pro-environment leader who is ready to take tough decisions for the sake of his people.

Meanwhile, Grech has been left with a muddled message and little to show for it.

What could have been an opportunity for the PN to take the lead on a unifying, people-powered cause has instead reinforced the perception of a party constantly playing catch-up.