Christian Peregin
When Labour MEPs' mistakes became political blunders
Nationalist MEPs have had to correct their votes 13 times in the past year, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday, serving the volley back to the PN which made a meal out of mistakes in the vote of Labour MEPs.
He said that 12 of these corrections were made by the PN's star candidate Simon Busuttil.
Dr Muscat was being questioned on the fact that two of his own MEPs messed up a crucial vote for Malta on whether EU member states should be obliged to share the illegal immigration burden.
The head of Labour's delegation, Louis Grech voted in favour, Glenn Bedingfield did not vote and John Attard Montalto voted against. The motion also dealt with a change in the Dublin II Convention so that immigrants can move freely around Europe without being sent back to their country of arrival.
After the vote, the PN asked for an explanation on why the three Labour MEPs voted in different ways. Mr Bedingfield said his voting machine did not work and Dr Attard Montalto claimed that he had pressed the wrong button.
They corrected their votes within the 24-hour timeframe allowed but the Nationalist party kept up its barrage on them for not being alert enough on such an important vote for Malta.
Yesterday Dr Muscat argued that Nationalist MEPs had made mistakes in the past when it came to voting at the European Parliament.
"I'd rather if no mistakes are made, but they do happen. It also bothers me when people do not turn up to vote," he said, referring to a voting session for the creation of an EU asylum agency which was missed by Dr Busuttil.
This proposal, by Louis Grech, had been defeated because the European People's Party voted against it, although the concept of an asylum agency has recently resurfaced with PN backing.
Reacting to Dr Muscat's comments, Dr Busuttil did not deny having corrected his votes but said he never made a mistake during a "crucial vote for Malta" such as that of burden-sharing or the working time directive.
He also said he was pleased that Dr Muscat had finally admitted that his MEPs made a mistake since his first reaction was to deny it.
In the last five years, the MEPs have had to vote using hand-held electronic machines around 5,000 times. The system is very different to that normally used in the Maltese Parliament, since voting is not carried out straight after a debate.
EU sources familiar with the voting system said that it can in fact be quite complex because during each voting session the European Parliament has to vote on a number of different and unrelated articles.
"It's not a nice and relaxed procedure. If you're not prepared it's easy to make a mistake."
Attempts to contact Dr Attard Montalto proved futile while Mr Beddingfield said he would answer questions via e-mail.
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Raymond Grixti
May 13th 2009, 09:29
Dear Charles J. Buttigieg,
It is all about power. It is all about gaining more votes than the adversaries. Pity in this country we will never learn to go hand in hand and work strictly for one goal, that is for teh good of the nation. That is why people keep on wnating to leave Malta and find employment and settle somewhere else. All these politics and mud slugging ruined our island.
The MLP should better shut up on the EU issue. If there is one thing they are not credible about, is the EU. Thier MEPs made a total mess there and on the issue of illegal immigration they didn't do anything. My vote will only go to Simon Busutill and that is it. He was the one to have proved that he truly works for our interests. NO ONE ELSE.....
Charles J. Buttigieg
May 12th 2009, 20:49
@ Joe Vella ( Mellieha)
Robert's Rules are about the US Congress. We are on about EU Parliament. There is a difference.
Charles J. Buttigieg
May 12th 2009, 18:53
Nationalist MEPs have had to correct their votes 13 times in the past year,
12 of these corrections were made by the PN's star candidate Simon Busuttil.
Louis Grech voted in favour, Glenn Bedingfield did not vote and John Attard Montalto voted against.
Mr Bedingfield said his voting machine did not work and Dr Attard Montalto claimed that he had pressed the wrong button.
They corrected their votes within the 24-hour timeframe allowed but the Nationalist party kept up its barrage on them for not being alert enough on such an important vote for Malta.
In the last five years, the MEPs have had to vote using hand-held electronic machines around 5,000 times. The system is very different to that normally used in the Maltese Parliament, since voting is not carried out straight after a debate.
EU sources familiar with the voting system said that it can in fact be quite complex because during each voting session the European Parliament has to vote on a number of different and unrelated articles.
So what’s all the fuss about?
.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
May 12th 2009, 17:00
My understanding was that according to Robert Rules a member can only change his vote right after the vote had been taken and as long as it does not change the outcome of the Vote it self. I cannot start to understand the pressure that was made on the president of the EU Parliament President to allow for the nothing of the change in voting intentions some 24 hours later.
Here is what Robers Rules says:
"A member has the right to change his vote up to the time the vote is finally announced. After that, he can make the change only by permission of the assembly, which may be given by general consent; that is, by no member's objecting when the chair inquires if any one objects. If objection is made, a motion may be made to grant the permission, which motion is undebatable." http://www.rulesonline.com/rror-08.htm
.
T Mifsud
May 12th 2009, 13:54
L Galea
"Machine does not work" and "Pressed the wrong buttion" tell that to the Maltese people from who they need the votes!
P. Schembri
May 12th 2009, 13:05
Making a mountain out of a molehill. A storm in a teacup. Are there any other terms? Man is not perfect, so some leeway should be made for mistakes.
But what the PN doesn't know is that when it points a finger at someone, there are 3 other fingers pointing back. NO amount of mud-slinging can amend these actions. It's human nature.
So please, give us a break.
Galea. L
May 12th 2009, 12:42
T Mifsud
Typical PN MEP's mistakes, 13 12 of which were made by Simon Busuttil.
Remember Mr Lapsus in our own Parliament Mifsud?
T Mifsud
May 12th 2009, 11:48
Typical Labour PL MLP - Oversights!
"Machine did not work"
"Pressed the wrong button"
This is exactly similar to Alfred Sant's electoral manifesto blunder "missprint".
This is a vote for Malta for goodness sake! MEPs are paid well over 5 times the national salary average and have full lifelong pensions unlike common citizens. They are being paid for doing very important national work and therefore have to be responsible and accountable. Can we afford to make these "mistakes"? I am sorry - no more childish excuses. You are responsible.