Christian Peregin
Disgruntled Nationalists should stop moaning - former minister
George Bonello Dupuis showing the letter he had sent to Eddie Fenech Adami. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Former finance minister George Bonello Dupuis finds the recent behaviour of disgruntled Nationalists "sickening" and thinks backbencher Franco Debono has ruined his career with his parliamentary antics.
Dr Bonello Dupuis told The Sunday Times he wanted to help the Prime Minister in a time of need, and teach a lesson to hot-headed Nationalists who "grouse" over losing their posts.
He said Dr Debono - who missed two votes in Parliament and underlined the government's delicate majority - would never be trusted again.
"Who knows what he will be up to next time? He was silly to do what he did. It's simply not done to run away from a vote in Parliament, particularly when it's a vote which concerns you."
He believes Dr Debono should be strongly disciplined.
"Who does he think he is? He is not there because he is popular, but because the party put him on its ticket."
He also lashed out at outgoing EU commissioner Joe Borg, who expressed his frustration after learning about his replacement from the evening news.
Dr Bonello Dupuis argued that any appointee was there "for the duration of the Prime Minister's pleasure".
People like Dr Borg should retire gracefully and not "give fodder to the enemy".
"Unfortunately, people do not have enough gumption to say their snout has been in the trough for quite a while. Rather than thank their lucky stars that they have been appointed, they grouse when they are replaced by others," he said.
Dr Bonello Dupuis, 82, was in politics for 25 years, most prominently when former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami appointed him finance minister for nine years.
The successful notary, who was also president of Sliema Wanderers, was then let go by the Prime Minister, causing him great disappointment, which he "took on the chin".
"When Eddie told me he had had enough of me, I retired gracefully. I was disappointed, because it was just two days after my biggest triumph (selling off the Bank of Valletta shares) but you have to take it like a man," he explains proudly.
"I always said you should not put someone in Cabinet if they haven't ever been in football, because in football you are 11 and if you're not good, you leave. What if I don't let one of my players out on the field? Will he go complain to Floriana?"
He thinks it is fine to criticise one's own party, but only if it is done internally, and within the party's structures, not in public.
"You don't give joy to the opposition. You keep your gunpowder dry to shoot at the enemy not wet so you can't shoot."
He advised the Prime Minister to "take more care in breaking the news" and to "sugar the pill" because he is dealing with human nature.
However, nothing justified going public with one's gripes - especially at a time of economic crisis which puts the Prime Minister in a vulnerable position.
Dr Bonello Dupuis recalls the letter he wrote to Dr Fenech Adami when he was removed from his post during a Cabinet reshuffle. He said he did not hold it against the Prime Minister at the time - on the contrary, he wrote to tell him he believed the team was supreme.
In response, then Prime Minister said he was overwhelmed by Dr Bonello Dupuis' reaction but had no doubt he would accept the decision as the perfect gentleman he was.
Dr Fenech Adami wrote back: "I have learned a lot from you over the years, particularly about the importance of team spirit, but I shall never forget the lesson you gave me today."
Speaking about the letters he treasures to this day, Dr Bonello Dupuis says: "That's the way things should be done."
He adds that in his time, the only person who behaved like today's disgruntled Nationalists was Josie Muscat.
"But we kicked him out, even though he was a kingpin in Żabbar. He thought he was greater than the party. But no one is; no one deserves to be."
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
18 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Dec 28th 2009, 10:53
George, I do hope you will also help and hint Lawrence to truly listen to the VOICE of the PEOPLE . To heed the message of disgusted ex-PN voters,REPEATEDLY expressed at the ballot box .
Kindly , tell him to REVISE the City Gate 'Piano(?)' farsical project , and listen to the Peoples" DISAPPROVAL , and locate Parliament to a more legitimate site , at the centre of the City !
Most Important is that pre- electoral promises are fullfilled.
Last but not least, to ease the burden of W&E tariffs and that the Tax-payers' money is WISELY spent.. (cc. the Piazza Celebrations Euro 170,000 +)
Many thanks , George , we shall appreciate your masterful interventions., AND HOPE FOR RESULTS ! Wishing a bright and prosperous New Year to all .
mario gellel
Dec 28th 2009, 10:39
@G.B.D.
IF YOU THINK THAT IT IS ONLY SOME DISGRUNTLED NATIONALIST WHICH ARE MOANING, THEN YOU BETTER THINK TWICE. THE PERCENTAGE IS ABOVE THE 90% OF THE POPULATION THAT ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE GOVT IS RUNNING THE COUNTRY. YOU SHOULD GO OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND TALK TO CIKKU IL-POPLU IN THE STREET AND THEN GIVE YOUR VERSION OF WHO IS RIGHT AND WHO IS WRONG.
PEOPLE IN POLITICS SHOULD KNOW THAT THEIR DUTY IS TO THE COUNTRY FIRST AND NOT LIKE YOU AND A FEW ARE PREACHING, THAT IS THAT YOUR PARTY COMES BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE. THAT'S DICTATORSHIP POLICY OR NOT!!!
clive gerada
Dec 28th 2009, 09:25
Kliem ix-xih zomm fih... pero` ma naqbilx li l-affarijiet ghandhom jinzammu gewwa il-partit. In-nies iridu jkunu jafu x'inhu jigri, u sew ghamilt Mr.Debono!
Peter Bonnici
Dec 28th 2009, 09:24
@ Denis Catania. The enemy in this case had done a great job of blowing itself up.
Darren Bugeja
Dec 28th 2009, 08:42
Proset Franco. Il-pajjiz nies bhalek irridu. Jivvotaw kif l-ahjar ghal Malta, u mhux kif l-ahjar ghal partit. Tatix kaz x qed jghid dan, dan qed jghid x kienu jaghmlu fi zmienu, ma nistawx nehlu mal passat, ma nies b mohhhom maluq. Irridu aktar nies bhalek Franco fil parlament. Gonzi Please ghamlilna pjacir u irrizenja.
J Oatmon
Dec 28th 2009, 06:53
Is is perfectly natural for people to be disgruntled, when there is scandal after scandal and no forceful actions to rectify the situation. What actions have been taken by the government to change the situation with the daft 'suspended sentencing, for violent criminals, the let off of the VAT criminals, the ADT fiasco's, the MEPA fiasco's, the Chief Justice joke sentence, public transport pollution etc?
I see nothing which gives me confidence things will get better, and so naturally I am disgruntled and appalled at the way the disasters are left to repeat themselves in Malta.
Tough decisions are needed and we are just not getting these, we are getting cover ups and excuses, instead of 'root and branch' reforms.
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici
Dec 27th 2009, 23:54
George bonello Du Puis was always bombastic in his talking. Miljun l'hemm jew miljun lil hawn xorta kien qal. Hekku xorta wkoll. (sic)
Joseph Cauchi
Dec 27th 2009, 22:29
@ Denis Catania,
One needs gunpowder to FIRE a musket!
JC.
Denis Catania
Dec 27th 2009, 20:38
Mr Dupuis you stated that you should keep your gun powder dry to shoot the enemy or did you mean to blow up your enemy ?
edward bartolo
Dec 27th 2009, 20:19
The Nationalist Party should instead look at this event as an opportunity to do some self reflection and criticism. That way, it can grow and evolve into a better institution. After all, criticism is what promotes progress.
Galea. L
Dec 27th 2009, 17:19
c. camilleri PN did not even leave money for government employees to be paid in 1971. If PL left Malta in a cesspit when it left 500 MILLION MALTALIRI in Malta's coffers and no debt, where is Gonzi going to leave it with the presently 4,000 MILLION Euros in DEBT incurred during PN administrations? Debt for the power station? Don't even try to mention it camilleri. Remember the Delimara power station that had to take all the load, serve Malta for some 50 years or more and the Marsa power station dismantled ? Why do we now need an extension with the most pollution fuel which is costing an arm and a leg and which in 4/5 years time shall have to be upgraded to work on gas at a further estimated cost of some 30 MILLION euros? Hotels? How many have closed down? Homes for the elderly? The Government is taking 75% of their pension and other income. Industrial Parks? Empty ones you mean? Roads? Are you living in another galaxy? The rest don't even merit an answer.
c. camilleri
Dec 27th 2009, 16:33
@ L galea ..The debt if any, incurred during Dupuis as Minister of Finance went get us out of the cesspit where we were left by the Labour Govt. The money spent is seen wherever one goes. From an economy of a third world country he made this tiny island move along with the rest of Europe. The fact that you are using the internet is because Dupuis changed all the telephonic system from second hand one brought over from Africa by labour to a modern one used by modern Europe. The Nationalist should not be ashame of the debts because it was well spent in projects like the Power station, Homes/Hotels for the elderly, industrial parks, modern schools, free university educations for all mostly workers' children, modern sports facilities, modern Airport, roads etc. The list is endless. Those who have no blur eyes can see all these and more. In the meantime once it seems that you have nothing to do you are FREE to go on whining for an other three yrs.
lgalea
Dec 27th 2009, 14:35
If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?
Thomas Jefferson
edward bartolo
Dec 27th 2009, 13:12
Unfortunately for Dr. Dupuis, times are changing, and the behavioural model he is proposing, is almost obsolete. It doesn't make sense to say, that behaving like a flock without an individual character, is what promotes a "sense of integrity and maturity".
One only has to look at history to understand what this kind of blind loyalty, can lead to. This type of loyalty, keeps institutionalised injustice happily happening, because, it is not opportune to speak against the institution of which one is a member!
God forbid us from returning to the Dark Ages!
Galea. L
Dec 27th 2009, 13:11
Dr Bonello Dupuis should remember how he was one of those who ruined Malta's finances as he was a Minister for Finance and today we and not our children are having to pay the debt incurred by the various PN Governments.
As for disgruntled MPs, do they not have a right to be disgruntled when they are totally disregarded by the Prime Minister?
And is it not the MEPs who shall have to face their constituents and not the Prime Minister?
The leader of the party is always elected, but the MPs who do not served their constituents whl elected them will not Dupuis.
Now everyone knows about the demo(n)cracy with which the PN is and was ruled.
We have it straight from the horse's mouth.
It's called dictatorship, dermocracy and not democracy.
Stephen Farrugia -Sliema
Dec 27th 2009, 13:07
I don't think Dr George Bonello Dupuis should have been removed because he was in full control of the situation. He really knew what he was doing and was very much liked by everyone.
Regarding the PN today. A person like Dr Debono is smart and sharp. He does not have a fancy surname in the new Nationalist monarchy. Its all about a few family interests now.
To reach the point of being socialist, anti- Maltese (pro-illegal immigrant) and Liberal, shows the deterioration of the party.
Yes, team spirit but not only from one side.
E. Vassallo
Dec 27th 2009, 12:54
I would say it that like some of today's children, some politicians can be considered real brats. Do they know that their place is in transition?? The behaviour of some of them is peculiar if not idiotic. But alas everybody wants some piece of the cake all the time even if they have already been proven. Mind you, there are one or two who can are constructive in their criticisms. .
C Sullivan
Dec 27th 2009, 12:15
Dr Bonello Dupuis' comments are so valid. Governments should run on the same premises as families should, with parents refraining from quarrelling in front of their children, or airing their dirty linen in public. For governments to succeed they need to consider ways in which to provide good 'holding' experiences to their constituents, in order to inspire a sense of security. Perhaps its time for the government to consider consulting with psychologists on the matter. Well done to Dr Bonello Dupuis and other politicians like him, for their sense of integrity and maturity.