Updated - Busuttil outlines plans for a 'people's party' - 'no' to executive role for Opposition MPs

PN leadership contender Simon Busuttil this morning presented his ideas for the party and warned that it would be a mistake to choose someone without experience or roots in the PN. He also said that everyone should shoulder responsibility for the PN's historical defeat at the polls, including himself, but this did not mean anyone should be disqualified from rebuilding the party. Dr Busuttil pointed out that if he should not contest for leadership because he was deputy leader for the last three months, nor should anyone who was in Cabinet or helping as a parliamentary assistant. On the financial issues crippling the party, Dr Busuttil said he would take advice from experts in the field on how to carry out the appropriate restructuring. However, he also proposed to split up the party's political structures from its commercial ones in a way that the two can be dealt with separately. The former MEP said he wanted to build a strong and constructive opposition but disagreed with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's proposal to involve Opposition backbenchers in executive roles, even though he saw scope for cooperation in areas for the national interest. Speaking at a press conference this...