It's time to bounce back

Believe me, it's very difficult at the moment, in terms of a commentary or analysis, if you like, as opposed to an investigative piece, to find something to write about. The summer lull is obviously expected and inevitable and what recurrent topics are about (migration, fireworks, bicycles and what have you) are being covered a thousand times over. I was browsing through the Sunday papers and noted the various commentaries are largely very much of the same. But, anyway, let's have a go.

Within a few weeks, as Parliament reconvenes, our politicians are expected (and note "expected") to bounce back, if there is any bounce left in them. The Labour Party has been hibernating for quite some time now. Perhaps Joseph Muscat is rallying his troops, sorting out various internal problems, concocting some plot to get a Nationalist MP over to his side and, in general, planning a massive assault against the government come end September. Labour have remained unimpressive. Truly, they registered an impressive victory in the European Parliament elections but that was not so much for their popularity as much as for the government's unpopularity.

As for the Nationalist Party, there has been a little movement of late, something like someone moving over in his slumber. This is due to the fact that Independence celebrations (no less than the 45th anniversary) are coming up. Perhaps this is why the PL have not rolled over as yet. The PN has been organising round table conferences and breakfast shows. Fine. OK. A good idea to gather some people and get exposure, but I have never really found these types of meetings effective or productive. Any criticism is normally muted in such an environment and proposals are few.

Now look at the activities where an independent journalist or even one from the other side interviews the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition in public, before that leader's supporters. Then that's another matter. This has happened on occasions and should be encouraged. We also have live television debates between party leaders at appropriate times, which is healthy and interesting, rather than speaking through scrambled eggs. In this we are ahead of the UK, where the first live televised debate between the three main political party leaders is due to be held in the run up to the next general election. So there!

Let's stick to the PN. There have been calls for/talk of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle. There has been pressure from the media for this to happen for quite some time. There is no doubt in my mind that the "small Cabinet" experiment has failed. Mega ministries, particularly without the support of parliamentary secretaries, are bound to make mistakes. But what are the Prime Minister's options? I see them as three: Reshuffle portfolios or parts thereof between existing ministers; increase the number of ministers and parliamentary secretaries and redistribute portfolios; increase the number of parliamentary secretaries only and allocate them to the right places. Reshuffling portfolios will only shift problems without solving them. I do not think replacing ministers is an option, given the result of that exercise after the last general election, only 18 months ago.

It seems that the only option should be the appointment of new members of the Cabinet and/or parliamentary secretaries, going back to the "large Cabinet". Of course, this will create a hornets' nest. I am not a cartoonist but I have sketched in my mind a cartoon of former ministers and ambitious backbenchers rushing up the steps of Castille, while having one large squabble, as one pushes the other aside. "Yes Prime Minister", I don't envy you. But I suppose this is the only way to go if you indeed intend to go. Perhaps just increasing the number of parliamentary secretaries, will reduce the number of hornets.

And yet the problem in this country of ours is that we just do not have enough (note "enough" not "any") experienced and competent politicians to take up posts of responsibility at government level in ever increasing and expanding areas that have to be covered. Dare I suggest for the umpteenth time that technocrats are introduced to the Cabinet? It would not be the first time that a non-MP is a member of Cabinet. Of course, this would require an amendment to the Constitution with the backing of the Opposition.