I am not disgruntled – Franco Debono

“I am not and never was a disgruntled backbencher. All I am doing is delivering the message of my constituents as every Member of Parliament is duty bound to do,” Nationalist MP Franco Debono has insisted.

The 35-year-old lawyer, and the youngest MP on the government side, said he entered politics to contribute and was doing exactly that. He insists there is no rift within the Nationalist Party but diverging opinions, which was “very healthy in a democracy”.

He said MPs were elected on the party ticket but they must be the voice of their constituents. It is their duty to do so.

“I define myself as a person who wants to contribute to the party and the country. I am the voice of the people who voted for me because I represent them. I raise issues in the national interest but it doesn’t mean I am disgruntled or rebelling against my party.”

His comments come in the wake of suggestions that Dr Debono is part of a pool of disgruntled backbenchers who the Prime Minister is having difficulty controlling.

“I have declared and will continue to declare my absolute loyalty to the party and its leaders, especially to the Prime Minister with whom I have excellent relations and exceptional communication,” he said.

Dr Debono, who hails from Għaxaq, a Labourite stronghold, only managed 500 votes when he first contested the general election in 1998. He doubled that in 2003, then surprised everyone when he ousted former heavyweight minister Louis Galea in the last general election.

“In these 11 years I have always been loyal to the party. I have been putting forward names of people who could run for the next election because it is normal that a party identifies potential candidates.

“Politics is competitive and you have to work hard to earn people’s trust. I earned that trust and now, with a clear conscience, I am representing those people in Parliament to the best of my ability. I am just doing my duty,” he said.

On Wednesday, a motion was presented in Parliament paving the way for the creation of two new parliamentary committees. Dr Debono was chosen to chair one of these committees, that for the consolidation of the laws of Malta. But was this done to keep him happy and buy his silence?

“Absolutely not. The committee was my idea which I put forward for the Prime Minister’s consideration five months ago. Being a lawyer, justice is my field and I feel I can contribute on this committee because the harmonisation of the different laws is something which will reap long-term benefits,” he said.

Dr Debono also dismissed the idea that the invitation to join a government delegation to the United Nations meeting in the US last month was a similar attempt to buy his silence.

“Justice and the environment are my two areas of interest. My maiden speech in Parliament was about climate change and this was the subject of the meeting in New York. The Prime Minister asked me to accompany him and I did. This was another way of contributing,” he said.

“I just speak my mind. It doesn’t mean I’m not toeing the party line... I raise people’s concerns such as about the lack of a football ground and a waterpolo pitch in Birżebbuġa or about the emissions of the power station. I am very happy that the government is going to invest €20 million to reduce emissions.

“Does raising these issues make me a rebel or a disgruntled backbencher? I don’t think so. My district is heavily industrialised and faces certain problems that have to be addressed in the best interest of residents,” he said.

Dr Debono also commented on Dr Gonzi’s decision to have a smaller Cabinet. He said he agreed with this concept which obviously meant there was not enough place for everyone.

“All the backbenchers want to form part of Cabinet. It is obvious. I have no particular aspiration to form part of Cabinet because I am young and in a learning curve. In the meantime I am contributing to the best of my ability,” he said.

Dr Debono also referred to the discussion on the PN parliamentary group when Finance Minister Tonio Fenech’s trip to watch an Arsenal match with two businessmen arose. He said that contrary to what was reported, he did not raise the issue, which was mentioned by Dr Gonzi. He said he simply participated in the discussion on the matter.