Franco Debono sticks to his position at PN executive meeting, another meeting to be held
Nationalist MP Franco Debono told the PN executive this evening that he still intends to abstain during the vote on an Opposition motion in parliament calling for Transport Minister Austin Gatt's resignation.
This evening's meeting was also attended by Dr Gatt.
Informed sources said that Dr Debono reiterated his decision and the executive decided it will hold another meeting on Monday specifically to discuss the transport situation.
Dr Debono wants the minister to assume political responsibility for the situation of the bus service.
Following this evening's meeting, Dr Gonzi confirmed that the executive will on Monday discuss the bus service, in the context of the route changes announced last Saturday. He did not reply to questions on Dr Debono's position.
The vote in parliament will be taken on November 4.
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A Caruana
Oct 24th 2011, 15:29
Why doesn't The PM face up to the various issues and stop burying his head in the sand? is this good leadership material = no! EFA was a much stronger leader of the PN which is now in it's worst state ever and will be handing the next election on a plate to the PL as Gonzi is seen as weak and unable to take a stand against his own Ministers. If a Minister fouls up, then out he must go. Loyalty to the people should come before the Party. And for the record i am not a voter of Franco Debono, couldnt vote for him anyway, but at least this guy is showing some balls which seem to be lacking in many current MP's.
Mr M Spiteri
Oct 22nd 2011, 07:53
To consider malta drydocks and seamalta as achievements of Dr Agostino Gatt is stupid. I consider an achievement if an entity is losing money but someone manages to make it profitable.
Charles Sammut
Oct 21st 2011, 16:24
austin stated that if the motion goes thru parlament, he will resign!! ,,,the whole population of the island in the island waits with bated breath!!..we might even see pigs flying...
...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....
Angus Black
Oct 21st 2011, 18:55
Yes Charles Sammut - the beat goes on... and the beat goes on. Just like it goes on at the Mile End with Joseph's faux pas after faux pas, after faux pas....
He has eighteen more months to add to his record of comedies of errors and bad judgements....
We wait with bated breath, probably for not too long before his next blunder. Ahjar tmur izzomlu idu ghax ma tantx huma sodi, miskin.
Mr Bartolo Edward
Oct 21st 2011, 12:59
Quote: "First and foremost this is all about democracy, and not winning at all cost."
--------------------------
Democracy has nothing to do with having a responsible government. The purpose of democracy is to allow an electorate to choose its rulers, that is all.
This equating of the meaning of the word "democracy" with "a civilized society governed by the rule of law" only shows political immaturity. A society can still exercise justice without employing democracy.
Don't imagine I am against democracy, it is all the contrary. As I see it, political parties are too obsessed with winning power often forgetting that they must first serve the people who elect them.
R. Gauci
Oct 21st 2011, 11:31
Kullhadd jikkummenta fuq l-gheluq tat-Tarzna bhala achievement ta` Austin Gatt. It-tarzna ghadha hemm ghall-informazzjoni taghkom, thammeg daqs qatt qabel u tingombra wahda mill-isbah arji tal-pajjiz b'potenzjal turistiku u ta` cruise liners enormi. Il-haddiema li kien hemm xorta ghadhom fuq il-payroll taghna minbarra somma li hadu u ghamlu sew, just inghalqet jew ahjar ittiehdet min idejn il-Maltin bhal kull kumpanijja lokali, bl-eccezzjoni ta` l-Air Malta li nemmen li min hemm tghaddi wkoll. Li hatfu l-management u barranin appuntati mill-Gvern tal-PN u li hadu l-miljuni dawn hadd ma jikkummenta dwarhom? Il-haddiem li kien jirriskja hajtu u xogholu jitkaxkar f'manholes dojoq kollha zejt jew jixxabbat mat-tankers biex jaqla l-ghixien, dan hu l-kriminal siehbi nazzjonalist??
John Zammit
Oct 21st 2011, 10:35
Well done Dr.debon but the Majority of us request that when a word is given it will be kept Further I Also hope that the new system will not be another flop
Alex Falzon
Oct 21st 2011, 10:24
The zabbar area will have No 92 & X5 in addition from the 4th or 6th November. Im sure at last this blessed transport will function well.
j brincat
Oct 21st 2011, 09:46
@Jan Haut
"Surely Austin Gatt is the most successful Ministers Malta has ever had. Think of all the good moves he has made. Yes he is a bulldozer"
Like what??? Like Arriva MAI, ARMS, Airmalta, Malta Drydocks, Seamalta, Enemalta and now even doubts are being cast on Smart City aka as Ghost town!
(jb)
A Cuschieri
Oct 21st 2011, 10:40
Il-fatt li qed tikteb fuq dan il-blog ukoll huwa rizultat tal-avvanz li ghamlet Malta f'dan is-settur taht Austin Gatt. Ovjement, mhux kollox ghamel tajjeb, imma li ssemmi l-hazin biss mhux sew lanqas.
Gordon Swain
Oct 21st 2011, 11:16
Naqbel mieghek sur Cuschieri, imma biss nghid li meta dan il-blog fahhar lil onorevoli Gatt, kummenti pozitivi kien hemm u ma kienx hemm negativi, allura ma nisteniex li waqt argument negativ ha nsemmu il-pozitiv.
joseph saliba
Oct 21st 2011, 11:26
That's what you, PL and GWU wish and say. The doubts are being cast by you and the like. Arriva has got the pontential to succeed against the hopelessness of the past bus drivers and association. ARMS is working properly after some initial problems although you can bring some past and a few present eg. to try to prove me wrong. Dr Gatt did not do Airmalta, Malta Dryldocks, Seamalta and Enemalta. The present government stopped the money hemmorage so that now our present and future looks brighter than that of most countries. No matter who will command the next legislature.
FRANS H SAID
Oct 21st 2011, 15:32
@ A Cuschieri - Liberty is not Agostino. It is now a right per the constitution.
@ J brincat - you forgot to mention the utter waste of money to dismantle City Gate built by Georgio Borg Olivier on a design by Bergonzo after an international competition. Also the moving of the fountain. The removal of the etrminus making it a hussle for the aged and hadicapped. No cover come rain or shine when disembarking or waiting for a bus.
AND irrispective if he was the minister responsible or not - the sheer dilabitated palazzoes all over Valletta. The 400 million could have been better spent.
He is infatuated with Piano and now we are going to be stuck with a monstrosity, with the full blessing of independent MEPA.
YES Agostino has a lot to answer for.
A Dimech
Oct 21st 2011, 09:26
The last time I used Arriva (in Fgura) there were hords of people at teh stage and some fights were breaking out on who will get on an approaching bus.
It is a disgrace.
it is also a disgrace that tourists has to pay more then Maltese. We are part of the EU and should pay the same. Malta once was hospitable country.
From which ever angle you look at it - The arriva is a fiasco!
Mr twanny borg
Oct 21st 2011, 09:20
franco debono jrid ministeru anki jekk jisserva bin-naha l-ohra u n-naha l-ohra tisserva bih.
E. Azzopardi
Oct 21st 2011, 09:07
What reforms worked? PBS, Bus Service (this is the third attempt), Air Malta? We would not be forking out some 40 million euros this time for Air Malta if this had worked ten years ago, but it did not. We all know it. THE PEOPLE need to be respected more by certain politicians. Politicians should do what the majority requests and not vote against their will, for example. This is unforgivable. This young new MP is in fact showing his party the way of doing new politics, which was promised a long time ago.
franco debono
Oct 21st 2011, 08:34
since some examples are being quoted completetly out of context it would be relevant to make reference to the episode where dr charles mangion, in 1998, according to the doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility offered his resignation from minister of justice
A Dimech
Oct 21st 2011, 09:31
You are absolutely right. When there wa a conflict of interest - under Dr Sant - Chalres Mangion offered his resignation. Not even thought twice. Those were "gentleman days"
Today, Austin creates one of the biggest mess we ever saw in this country - and he doesn't only not resign but not even assume responsability for it!!!
But - I don't believe Dr Debono will abstain. PN will put pressure on him to follow the party lines. You will see!! this is in the end a big Charade. I can expect threats and enormous pressure on Franco - it is a shame no body else in his party is standing up with him!
John Zammit
Oct 21st 2011, 10:39
DR Mangion is a person that truly cares for the nation
anthony farrugia
Oct 21st 2011, 11:20
When he saw an opportunity Dr. Mangion escaped from a sinking ship led by Dr Alfred Sant.
J. Schembri
Oct 21st 2011, 19:35
You are mixing apples with pears, Dr Mangion was made to resign from minister by Dr Alfred Sante for letting free with an amnesty, persons who mugged old people.
When Minister Austin Gatt wanted to introduce something which was proven in other countries in the form of a new bus system no glass gazing franco debono came up in the news to tell us that the system would not work. Now Mr Hindesight franco debono is telling us that Minister Gatt should be kicked out of office .Well I’d rather have someone who sees to it that he finds the resources and finaces to have streets done in my area than some armchair critic calling for his resignation.
Jan Haut
Oct 21st 2011, 08:19
Surely Austin Gatt is the most successful Ministers Malta has ever had. Think of all the good moves he has made. Yes he is a bulldozer, and you need to be one to get things moving here. When Parliament decides that a particular project ha sto be done, he is the man to do it. If we have to calculate all the good he has done, the mark will surely surpass the 85% mark. And most of his projects are drastic measures, where one needs to have balls to succeed and save Malta Millions of deficit and bring investment to our shores. I am not one of his costituents, but i have full faith in him.
The Arriva issue. Dr. Gatt was the one who got rid of the smokey, old, unfriendly stinking buses we had. His success/failure has to be calculated well. When one considers that the commuters have surely increased considerably after the change to Arriva, one has to give time for fine tuning of the system, and Arriva (with his persistance) have improved the service fourfold.
Lets not forget that the new service started in July, and it has become already a much better service than what we used to have in a matter of four months. This service will need to be updated every six months.
I wonder if all you moaners (and Dr. Debono) have ever ridden a bus ... I have, and long trips as well.
Surely the comments that we see here are politically motivated and before this matter is taken further, Dr Debono should calculate his actions with great care!!
Just for the record, i am a floating voter - Not GonziPN, not Nationalist and Not PL
Chris Spiteri
Oct 21st 2011, 09:52
Dear Mr. Haut,
I have read your comment and I surely respect your thought and words. But are you sure you are a floating voter? Let me ask you one thing... Have you ever been to London? Its one of the busiest cities in the whole world... and public transport is managed by several companies, including also Arriva UK. Do you compare the Arriva Malta with Arriva UK? London transport works as just fine as the most expensive clock. I thought Arriva was just one company, with several branches around Europe, but this surely seems its not the case about Malta. The timetables are surely forgotten, lucky is the commuter when a bus passes by. You don t have to answer me, or any other bloggers for these questions I am asking, but please, at least be honest with YOURSELF!! I do agree to leave politics out of this Arriva issue and everyone works for the better of the local commuters, including also tourists, but let's all admit it, Arriva Malta is one BIG mess.
godwin difesa
Oct 21st 2011, 10:20
I am 100% agree with you.This country if we had some more politicians like Dr Gatt we are in a much better situation than in what we are.Tkns to him the tax payer is saving a lot of millions every year from subsidizing
those companies who where sucking all those millions every year.And what about the ICT projects he had brought in Malta with hundreds of millions investment.If it was for other people we still have factories producing textiles goods as when he sad about the closer of these type of factories many where scandalized.I still agree with Dr Debono that some one have to take responsibility for the public transport mismanagement as like this system of Franco things move faster same like the law of the lawyer to be present while interrogation it was there for some years and with his move it was effected.Hope things will be settled as soon as possible with the public transport as we are all suffering even businesses in Valletta.
Jan Haut
Oct 21st 2011, 11:34
@ Godwin, I agree with you 100%
@ Chris . I am a floating voter. I have lived in The Netherlands for a long time, was in London for a while as well and also germany. These countries have seperate bus lanes, that is why they are always on time. I am not trying to defend Arriva. I ask you a question now - do you know how long has arriva operated in the Uk and other European countries....to perfectionise their service??
Chris Spiteri
Oct 21st 2011, 14:18
@J Haut. Yes, you are surely right re the bus lanes!! But hey, Transport Malta (TM) should have done some sort of studies to see that the system really works and above all that the timings of the bus stops are really adhered to. Its not just scrapping the old yellow buses, which I fully agreed on, and putting a new transport system on this little island. Such a change was surely needed, but maybe we expected too much, including myself!!
Charles Sammut
Oct 21st 2011, 16:30
How many years have you been living on the island in the sun Jan????
J. Schembri
Oct 22nd 2011, 18:12
Well said Jan!
May I add that Dr Debono is making this fuss about this “political responsability” of minister gatt , while he’s being irresponsible with his attitude towards the country during this crisis>
He looks like a spoiled child who is throwing tantrums about his cold food while his 'father' at the same table is pondering about his job uncertainty.
Grow up Franco.
Jan Haut
Oct 23rd 2011, 20:16
@ Charles Sammut . 40 years
Paul Camilleri
Oct 21st 2011, 07:58
Love him or hate him for his straight foward character....Austin remains the minister who masterminded big reforms especially in the it and communications sector.
Alex Falzon
Oct 21st 2011, 07:32
One of the good things... Closed the Dockyard!!!
Bdw Arriva is improving day by day at least from Zabbar area... I am arriving at work 10 minutes earlier than my own car and less hassle to park
MT Caruana
Oct 21st 2011, 07:59
@Alex Falzon,
Arriva improving day by day???? Speak for yourself habib!
Daghodu l-ewwel bus li giet geww Isla kienet fis-7:10am.....addio il-bus tal-05:30am, u addio il-bus tas-6:30am.... konnha hafna nies fil-venda u wasalna il-belt bil-boat!!!
Imnalla hemm dan is-servizz ghax kienu trid timxi sa Bormla forsi tirkeb. Ma nafx x'ha jigri la jkun il-maltemp, u haga ohra il-bus tal-5:30am u tas-6:30am ( meta jigu), jaslu il-venda ta- Isla kwazi milija bin-nies ta Bormla u tal-Birgu, li msiken jimxu bicca sew biex jirkbu huma ukoll, ma taghti tort lil hadt ghax kulhadt irid imur ghax xoghol, u xi nghidu ghal meta nigu biex imorru lura dar ehh...... trid tithol il belt bilfors biex forsi tirkrb ghax sa kemm il- buses jaslu fuq stage ta Blata Bajda kollha full up, u trid toqod tikumidja tirkeb ta Bormla jew tal Birgu u jew timxi sa Isla, jew tiqaf Rahal Gdid forsi tilhaqa min hemm.
Irid isir xi haga asap ghax issa iz-zejjed kollu zejjed!!!
Mr Bartolo Edward
Oct 21st 2011, 07:02
Without total loyalty of a party's members, political parties make no sense at all.
Joe Gatt
Oct 21st 2011, 08:46
Obseve what has just happenned in Libya, you may learn a thing or two about democracy, at least that is what may happen when you suppress freedom of choice.
Austin is causing harm to his party, at the same time doing a big favour to the opposition. Should he assume responsability, anyway it is 100% and he must, once he goes the problem goes with him, as it would be someone else to sort out the mess, and if that someone messes up, he would have to shoulder it too.
First and foremost this is all about democracy, and not winning at all cost.
Dr Debono is 100% right, and he has the right to differ.
John Scerri
Oct 21st 2011, 06:56
I honestly think this is a clash between ambition and arrogance which delivered over the years and obviously in some cases things went wrong and ambition and arrogance which is seeking popularity but has NOT yet delivered hence things cannot go wrong...for now.
I also think that leadership is weakened by constant mutiny , backstabbing and communication lacking the right channels.
This , in my opinion, looks very much like the beginning of the end , calling for a period of meditation in order to get things in order.
History repeats itself . This time the otherway round.
Peppi Borg
Oct 21st 2011, 04:39
Well done Dr. Debono you're doing your job very well. You're a true representative of the people. Don't be surprised when they start demonising you.
Paul Caruana
Oct 21st 2011, 00:35
With all the flops of the PN administration, at least there are a few men on this side of the room that stick to their guns and are not ready to bow their heads down to the Hippocratic behavior of some of those who think they own Malta.
Sleep Dr. Gatt and dream on for another 20 years in government. Yes, dream on !
@ J. Schembri, it is expected of a minister to perform well as after all, he has been trusted by the people and paid by the people. Being arrogant like he is, is not a right whatever good he has done.
Ivan Delia
Oct 20th 2011, 22:50
Imbghad bhal baketta magika Franco Debono nhar it-Tnejn ibidel fehmtu u jghid li jrid jibqa lejali lejn il-partit. U hallina Franco dejjem trid tkun fil-Lime Light Publicity imbghad meta jigik il-mument iddawwar denbek bhal pinnur !!
Paul Giordimaina
Oct 21st 2011, 08:01
Ghaliex le Mr Delia ghalinqas il Ministru Gatt kellu il hila jaghmel li intom qatt ma ghamiltu ghax partit bla sinsla.Minn ma jizbaljax ghax ma jaghmel xejn.dan Dr. Debono xqatt ghamel,minghalih li ser jaqwista xi giex voti zejda. GOOD ON YOU AUSTIN GATT
Mr Joe Cardona
Oct 20th 2011, 22:26
Issa mhux bhas-soltu jigri. issa drajnihom il-PN. L-ewwel ipacpcu u jghidu hafna kontra l-Ministri bhal kif gara ta' JPO u imbaghad jivvutaw favur il-Gvern taghhom.
Taparsi li huma kritici ghal shabhom il-ministri. Min hu tal-kelma izommha u jibqa' jzommha sal-ahhar u mhux jibdel ir-rotta taparsi li L-gvern se jirranga.
Dr Debono jista' isaqsi lix-Xlukkajri li hu jirrapprezenta kemm huma moqdija bl-Arriva. Wiehed idum jistenna il-Belt ghal karozza gieli aktar minn nofs siegha.
O Kassar
Oct 20th 2011, 22:20
What a difference! When in 1981 Mintoff won the election with a minority and wanted to resign, his ministers insisted with him to cling on to power. And now 30 years later a Government MP wants a minister to assume responsibility. So what's wrong? Things have changed in Malta my friends and this is because the PN changed the way politics are done.
I prefer to have a party which tolerates different views, open minds and freedom of expression in its own executive than a party with a leader who, already in opposition, is trying to control the media by pushing people with his own ideas to brainwash the public. What a hypocrisy! We who were young in older times cannot forget the Run Rabbit Run, the Old Labour Party Ensign and the labour anthem on the National Broadcasting Station.
FRANS H SAID
Oct 20th 2011, 22:18
Like many others Agostino is not indispensible. He has been arrogant, he has been a bulldozer, but so have others during their time (Lorry Sant ???). The PN is a centre right party, which means democracy not theocracy. The attitude of Agostino has been of sheer arrogance. The ARRIVA debacle is the apex of the iceberg. He has been getting away with "murder" for many years, seemingly untouchable because (probably) he has some very strong king makers behind the scenes.
I repeat that the whole confusion of routes was solely to avoid having any buses outside the city. Ignoring the commuters, old age people, handicapped et al. Now passengers have to desembark in front of the Phoenicia - comer rain or shine. There is nowhere where they can go in case of rain (the archades have been removed) They need to walk to the war memorial, irrispective of the weather.
Is this a party that claims it is for the people or do they expect the people to be for the party, as some of the bloggers are hinting, that the party must always come first irrispective of any stupidities they make?
The PN must take stock of its position. It must very selective in the choice of candidates - and above all it MUST LISTEN to the people. The impression is that they have climbed so high they see the people as minion ants, to be ignored because those at the top know better. BUT any partuy, any government is there for the people.
j brincat
Oct 20th 2011, 21:44
@Peter Agius
" I will galdly see you as a member of the Opposition"
Then, you would like to see the PN in opposition! Not that I would mind!
(jb)
Peter Agius
Oct 21st 2011, 21:25
Of course you would not mind (jb). After all it has been a very long time. And by the way, Austin Gatt has been there.....................ALL THE WAY.
Noel Abela
Oct 20th 2011, 21:29
Il-Vapur qed jereq u ammettu.
joseph saliba
Oct 20th 2011, 21:05
Don't believe that Dr Debono is an armchair critic as one commentator insinuated. Democracy not only permits but encourages clashes of ideas/personalities in every healthy organisation including political parties. The outcome whatever it may be is nothing we citizens should be afraid of. For the experienced amongst us the end is always very near yet so far away. Regeneration manifests itself in many forms.
Patrick Pace
Oct 20th 2011, 20:47
While I am the first to state that the current situation in public transport is in chaos and Minister Gatt should stop passing the buck (would he be saying he has no connection with Arriva if the reform turned out in an instant success?), I also feel that we are missing other important points now that Dr Debono is getting involved also in this delicate matter.
For example, what about the constant threatening of this government by a few selected who are apparently showing ulterior reasons. Dr Debono would normally have my admiration EXCEPT for the fact that he does not find anything against his principles to take up imaginery posts within the OPM and `enjoy the ride`. I do believe one of the rides took him to New York with the Prime Minister.
I believe in a basic principle i.e. if you form part of a committee you discuss INTERNALLY any issues within the committee, fight out all the issues, being out all the arguments - then the committee votes. Once a decision is reached ALL members of the committee are OBLIGED to support the decision taken. Its called democracy and you either like it or make use of another very basic principle. You resign.
To try and gain favours each time you stamp your feet on the ground, Dr Debono, is making you lose credibility - FAST.
So get to the point and tell us what you want.....get it? Even better, be a man and let this government finish this legislation in peace, then be prepared for the inevitable. Yes most probably labour in government but also you not getting elected.
As for Arriva things are so clear, even the old bus drivers are being missed. Enough said.
Alfred Azzopardi
Oct 20th 2011, 20:42
PL played a wrong card by pushing for Gatt's resignation, apart from the fact that no PN member will abstain or vote with the PL , Gatt's presence in Government is an asset for the PL, his periodic characteristic gaffes serve to lose votes for the PN with little effort from the PL.
FRANS H SAID
Oct 20th 2011, 20:58
I tend to think that he been like a mill-stone around the PN's neck. He has done more damage to the PN. Gonzi should have stood up to him (if was allowed to do so)
Peter Agius
Oct 20th 2011, 21:52
Just do not bet, Mr.Azzopardi
J. Schembri
Oct 20th 2011, 20:28
Austin Gatt did one hundred good things and one of his projects is not performing as it should , should we encourage him or should we kick him out to have an armchair critic instead of him?
I will abstain from voting for Franco Debono , I voted for the new blood in the PN to get this gloating primadonna. Where’s Ninu?
Mr Said you were right when you wrote that the country cannot be run with blackmails.
FRANS H SAID
Oct 20th 2011, 20:57
Can you please details the "good" things he has done? Do not to forget spending 400 million on the Piano debacle apart from all that was spent in the run up, including Piano himself and other designs, competitions, that were all bluff because from day one he wanted to boasrt with a Piano.
He is suppost to be a lover of Valletta. Walk down any street to see the palazzoes crumbling, the grand houses more suitable to ghosts. In my opinion he was the worse enemy of Valletta and the Nationalists.
When I mentioned blackmail I was referring specifically to the possibility that he will threaten to distabise the government. He is not indispensible and has to accept that his time has come, he must make way. The damage he has done to GONZI PN cannot be calculated. This also holds good to those in the background who have been pushing him forward for their own aims.
J. Schembri
Oct 21st 2011, 06:17
Mr Said our parliament is being blackmailed by the one majority parliamentarian , be it Mintoff , Dr Debono , Jpo or Mr Mugliette , I am stating a fact .This is not democracy .
Dr Gatt is abrasive but efficient ,sometimes I compare his character to Dom Mintoff’s.Read Lino Spiteri’s description of Austin on last Sunday’s Times.
He’s not in charge of the palazzos of Valletta.
He’s in charge of the roads being built and were built in record time, go to the Zurrieq area and see for yourself , go to the airport area and see for yourself , have a trip to Gozo and see the Marfa and Xewkija roads being rebuilt. Go to the harbour area and see the lift and the oil depot which is no more.Go to Xatt l-ghassara and witness the LONG TERM planning not just resurfacing . Should we have more moaning armchair critics like Franco who just doesn’t know what a team is ? If Franco wants to criticise HIS minister he should do it in the party under who’s ticket he contested , not in parliament .
The 'blackmailer' is Franco not Austin. Austin admitted he did a mistake in the planning of the route , and he is going to fix the problem come the 6th November . Things won’t be resolved with a resolution in parliament , Franco’s abstention would be a stab in the back for the stability of our parliament.
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Oct 20th 2011, 20:24
Neglet of 'communication' and 'team work' within GONZIPN TEAM.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
jesmond zammit
Oct 20th 2011, 20:22
jibqaw granfati mal poter .
George Azzopardi
Oct 20th 2011, 20:19
we don't want PN to resign now .... now is the time when PN will start pouring out blantly to try and win the next election!!
G. Portelli
Oct 20th 2011, 20:15
Ilek tipprova u tixtieq li tkun ministru. Daqt jirnexxilek. Keep it up!! (U wara din ir-recta minn hawn u nofs seklu iehor forsi nergghu nafdawk)
FRANS H SAID
Oct 20th 2011, 19:42
How can Franco Debono expect that Agostino stoops to admit a mistake?
Joking apart, why is the PN defending Austin at all costs. Is there a threat to vote against the govt and cause an early election? If so, it clearly shows that Dr L. Gonzi has been living under the Domocles sword, a constant threat. And we all think that Agostino is a genuine Nationalist.
It is better to go to elections than live subject to blackmail.
Angus Black
Oct 20th 2011, 20:18
Austin Gatt does not have to 'stoop' to admit a mistake and certainly he is not expected to stoop to Franco Debono. He has already stated that he was overly optimistic and that things could have been done better. But let's not forget that Austin's involvement, with all of ARRIVA's faltering service, has far exceeded previous ministers who were in charge of Public Transport by virtue of getting rid of a service which reddened our faces time and time again.
The electorate will take care of whether the NP lets franco debono run under its banner or he chooses to jump fence and join some other party. He cannot be trusted along with a few others who, it seems, do not understand what loyalty means.
This is not a matter of conscience because he and a few others should have known what the NP stands for and if it didn't suit them, they should have run as independents or with the Labour Party where they would no doubt be welcomed, at least on a temporary basis.
Peter Agius
Oct 20th 2011, 20:57
Franco Debono, you have done nothing good for the PN in the time you have been MP. Austin has been there in the bad times and the good times. I will galdly see you as a member of the Opposition. That is as long as you do not change sides. But then you will have a hell of a time from a Mr.Herrera.
Tony Agius
Oct 20th 2011, 21:49
In this case Franco Debono appears to be blackmailing the Party that he used to get a seat in Parlament. Our votes are not a pack of cards for a Prima Donna. And yes we will vote again for all PN rcandidates, but we will organize the names accordingly and such a name willbe at the bottom of the Iist.
Louis Muscat
Oct 20th 2011, 21:57
F.Said, If you think that Gatt has done so much damage to GonziPN, why are you insisting that he must go? If as you said that he is doing all this damage, you must wish him to remain where he is.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 21st 2011, 09:02
@ FRANS H SAID.
Assuming for argument's sake that mistakes have been committed, admitting them is the gentlemanly thing to do, it does not require "stooping" and it is not "joking".
The real mistake would be to "do a Sant" and to throw in the towel when the going gets tough because of a disloyalty within the party that masquerades as a loyalty to the constitution.