Backbenchers expected to be 'twinned' with ministers

Nationalist backbenchers are expected to be 'twinned' with different ministries following a series of consensus-building meetings between the Prime Minister and the parliamentary group.

However, it is understood that the proposal to attach MPs to the eight ministries will not apply to former ministers and parliamentary secretaries who have found themselves on the backbench in the new administration.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi spoke about the proposal during a Cabinet meeting ahead of two parliamentary group meetings last Tuesday and Thursday, which MPs agreed had done wonders to pacify mounting dissent on the Nationalist Party backbench.

Under the proposal, those who have never held office will assist ministers with 'specific work' as well as dealing with different aspects of parliament, sources said.

Sources said the Prime Minister held discussions with some former ministers to discuss the possibility of finding them a more senior role within the administration.

The Prime Minister's one-to-one meetings held at Castille with most MPs managed to ease the tension ahead of the parliamentary group meetings. A number of backbenchers had complained that they had been excluded from the government's work ever since the PN secured a wafer-thin victory in March 2008.

The recent Cabinet reshuffle had only served to further fuel discontent on the backbench.

But when contacted, MPs said they noticed a remarkable change in Dr Gonzi's approach in the past few days.

Nationalist Party whip David Agius described the outcome of the two parliamentary group meetings as "very, very, positive" giving ample time for all MPs to express themselves.

"The party has decided to turn over a new leaf and start afresh - to work together towards victory at the next election. The overall feeling in the parliamentary group is that we've all learnt from past mistakes," Mr Agius said.

He said both the Prime Minister and the MPs agreed on the need to dedicate more time for each other.

"Evidently, the whole parliamentary group would like to be more involved in the work of the government," he said.

Sliema politician Robert Arrigo echoed the same sentiments, saying he now felt part of a "real" parliamentary group.

"I always rejected the 'disgruntled backbencher' tag. I merely want to voice the opinions of voters - and their concerns are my concerns," he told The Sunday Times.

Former Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, who is being mentioned as a candidate for the Speaker's seat once Louis Galea steps down, described Thursday's parliamentary group meeting as clearly positive, since it emphasised the principles of belonging and involvement.

"We can look forward to working together again, instead of working in an atmosphere of open diversion," Dr Zammit Dimech said.

Charlo Bonnici said the meeting provided an opportunity for everyone to share their ideas.

"The Prime Minister is doing his utmost to address any problems. More importantly he is acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes, including himself - and that's what makes him such a good leader," the MP said.

Nationalist MPs who preferred to remain unnamed blamed the Prime Minister's advisers for adopting a stubborn stance with his parliamentary group.

"The Prime Minister simply didn't seem to be aware of the extent of the rift. Problems don't just go away."

Some Nationalist backbenchers said they could not tolerate finding out about upcoming legislation when it was presented as a fait accompli or through the media.

One MP said he was happy that the Prime Minister was realising that Cabinet was too lean and that ministers needed help - however, he said he could not understand why he failed to solve this shortcoming through the reshuffle.

"Dr Gonzi promised he would make himself more available for us. I am getting the impression that he is returning to the man he was before the 2008 election," one prominent MP said.

The vast majority of MPs told The Sunday Times that though the cracks in the group had been evident, a premature election was never on the cards.

"I think today nobody would dare abstaining from a vote. There is a clear feeling of reconciliation," one MP said.

However, another MP was more cautious: "At face value, the 'twinning' proposal is a step in the right direction. But we really have to wait and see if it's really going to get better."