IT'S UP TO HIM
I write this while figuratively speaking shaking my head in some wonderment. Wonderment, if you'll forgive me, at how a young politician seems to be heading into what can only result in his political oblivion, much as I know that he would dearly, dearly love to avoid this.
The politician of whom I write, you will not be surprised to learn, is Dr Franco Debono, who has made (and from what I hear, continues to make) something of a not inconsiderable ripple in the field of justice, especially in the criminal area. At the same time, he has taken it upon himself to try to impale Minister Austin Gatt on the horns of the public transport albatross, if I might be allowed to mix my species. You'd have thought that criminal justice was enough of a field in which to roam, but apparently not.
Debono started out by demanding, more than somewhat stridently, that Gatt takes political responsibility for the not unsubstantial problems that accompanied the from-the-roots-up changes in the public transport system. It now transpires that Gatt had already taken this responsibility, by offering to resign, a resignation the PM quite rightly did not accept, given that there is still much to be done to change what we all seem to forget was a pretty primitive system.
This, however, was not enough to satiate Debono. He seems to be want more, with blood on it, even though - perhaps in part thanks to him - radical changes to the system are going to be brought into effect, ironically, a few days after Labour's motion of no confidence, a motion which can only be described as populist, if not opportunistic, because the latter word might affront their dignity.
Debono was even given the opportunity to carve out a niche for himself in the history of public transport in Malta when he was offered the job of drafting the Government's amendment to the motion, an opportunity he seems to have eschewed by insisting that he's still going to abstain on Labour's motion.
He cites in his defence Westminster-style theories, but from my knowledge of parliamentary practise, these theories also say that when a three-line whip is imposed, as it is likely to be, backbenchers (and even more so members of the Government, as Debono is by dint of his occupying the position of Parliamentary Assistant to the PM) toe the party line or face the music.
As it sometimes put, "the Whips giveth and the Whips taketh away", and in politics, no-one has a longer memory than a Whip, especially one who feels defied. True, this is the stuff of English politics, but the principle can, and very possibly will, be applied, mutatis mutandi, as the lawyers like to put it.
And while mentioning extra-territorial political theories, what was that story that crossed my radar, that Debono is contemplating trotting off to the European Commission to report the PM? Admittedly, it was carried in MaltaToday, and therefore subject to some discretion when believing it, but since when does the Commission have some sort of oversight over internal politics? Or is there some Commissioner who has been tasked with keeping Prime Ministers in line, while I wasn't looking, and if so, why isn't he occupying himself with that Greek chap?
It is not, of course, his individual political future alone that Debono is messing around with: if it was, I'd be sad for him but at the end of the day it's his choice. The thing is, he's also risking being perceived as the man who paved the way for Joseph Muscat, from what I'm told a class-mate of his, to reach out with both hands and ask to be handed a country in pretty good shape on a plate, with water-cress around it.
This is not a legacy, were I to be in Debono's shoes, that I would like to see looming ahead of me, being seen as the PN's version of Sant's Mintoff.
This is because, while Debono abstaining on Friday won't bring down the Government in and of itself, or necessarily require Gatt to resign, at some point the PM is going to get sick and tired of taking time-outs from coping with the real issues the country faces to mollify uppity back-benchers and he might decide to call time.
At this point all bets will be off and no mistake, and quite apart from everything else, single-seat majorities, and the posteriors that sit in them, become a total irrelevance, while the tribal nature of Maltese politics will have the jungle drums beating to a completely new rhythm.
To quote Debono's own Facebook page, about the only thing that is infinite in the universe (apart, possibly, from the universe itself) is man's capacity for stupidity, but he's still got wiggle-room to prevent himself being proof of the very point he makes himself, if he wants to use it.
It's up to him.
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Antoine Vella
Nov 4th 2011, 09:21
Joe Sammut, the MP moving the Opposition motion about public transport, thinks that "whites" and blacks should be segregated on buses.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070704/local/migrants-turning-parts-of-marsa-into-no-go-areas.12424
The true face of Labour.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 4th 2011, 11:47
The usual dishonest spin, typical of the PN and its apologists. What Sammut was saying was that the service, as it stood, was not adequate to meet the needs of the residents and the Ħal Far Centre and suggested either more buses or a dedicated service to the Centre. At no point did he mention or even imply segregation.
Have you no shame?
Antoine Vella
Nov 4th 2011, 13:51
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070704/local/migrants-turning-parts-of-marsa-into-no-go-areas.12424
Joe Sammut: "The ADT should either raise the number of buses on this route or INTRODUCE A DIFFERENT SERVICE FOR THE MIGRANTS"
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070705/local/labour-distances-itself-from-mps-proposal-for-migrant-buses.12342
Headline: Labour distances itself from MP's proposal for migrant buses
"A Labour MP's proposal to introduce a segregated bus service for immigrants travelling to Birzebbuga smacked of apartheid, Neil Falzon, head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' office in Malta, insisted yesterday.
Labour Party general secretary Jason Micallef also distanced himself from Joe M. Sammut's comments in Parliament on Tuesday, insisting this was his personal opinion and not the MLP's stand."
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070708/opinion/pamela-hansen.11932
Pamela Hansen: "The Malta Labour Party needs to do more than distance itself from one of its MPs' racist comments. It should sack him. His place is with Josie's motley grouping."
Perhaps it was because of his comments on segregated buses that Joe Sammut was made spokesman for public transport by Joseph Muscat. The true face of Labour.
.
C Falzon
Nov 3rd 2011, 21:20
If ever one needed proof how good we're having it here in Malta one needs only look at the issues that regularly dominate the headlines. Our biggest worries seem to be the price of gas cylinders and buses not running on time.
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Nov 3rd 2011, 15:04
"At this point all bets will be off and no mistake, and quite apart from everything else, single-seat majorities, and the posteriors that sit in them, become a total irrelevance,..."
Translation of today's blog(sic!):
PANIC!!!
PANIC!!!
PANIC!!!
.which is EXTREMELY surprising as we know that :
a) in reality the speaker will jump in and save this government. Again.
b) Gonzi will NOT call it a day and call anyone's bluff. Power is a very potent drug, it seems. He hasn't done so in worse situations. He hasn't struggled so hard just to give it all up now... especially when (a) above will come into play and save the day yet again...
c) Even though it is obvious to all and sundry that PN is split beyond repair, (Dalli/Debono/efa/Pullicino/Falzon/ many other MP's and other of the higher echelons that have thus far kept their hands firmly hidden...)
.. in spite of all this, the URGE for power is still too strong for them not work together. Even if everyone is at each other's throat!
Still, with so much personal interest riding on this government staying in power for as long as possible, no wonder no one is taking Austin's advice and sleeping soundly right now...
Victor Laiviera
Nov 3rd 2011, 17:47
@ Ivan Grech Mintoff
You are forgetting one important factor - Austin Gatt's ego.
I would bet a thousand ewro against 1 mil of the old currency that he has already made it clear he will not take a defeat (like being saved by the Speaker) lying down. If that happens, anything is possible.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:28
After reading your comment, the only reasonable deduction is that your
PANIC!!!
PANIC!!!
PANIC!!!
refers to you and those who have been submitting comments agreeing with you.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 3rd 2011, 14:47
@ ABC
Just in case you are worrying about it, I don't think that you, Bondi and Caruana Galizia have been directed to attack Franco Debono. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.
OK?
Antoine Vella
Nov 4th 2011, 21:14
I don't think he's worrying about it, Victor.
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 14:30
Why would an attention-seeker like Dr Debono shy off from appearing on Bondi Plus, but not on TALK or REPORTER?
Victor Laiviera
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:26
Obviously because he knows that on Reporter he would get a fair hearing while on Bondi Plus it would be a public lynching.
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 3rd 2011, 23:44
@ Mr Laiviera,
in other words, you suspect that Dr. Debono did in fact , chicken out?
*Cluck *Cluck *Cluck
Victor Laiviera
Nov 4th 2011, 11:39
May I point out that Dr Debono is a PN MP?
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 3rd 2011, 10:19
I believe that parliamentary assistants being quasi junior ministers are not allowed to criticise the government let alone refuse to toe the line when it comes to voting in parliament. If Debono feels compelled to abstain for motives other than the transport reform then he should resign his post as parliametary assistant, the more so since he forms part of the PM's office which ranks above all the ministries. As parliamentary assistant, Debono forms part of the establishment and it would be absurd for somebody in the establishment to go against the workings of the same establishment. When he criticises the establishment he is criticising himself - a ridiculous situation if there is one. I'm afraid It doesn't say much for Debono's level of intelligence if he fails to see his illogical approach and persists in this tomfoolery.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 13:03
Ok, so let's get this right. I am a member of a group and am rarely, if ever, even 'consulted' - just 'consulted'. And then, I am expected to toe the line of the group as a whole. Is that right? Sure!
Julian Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 09:28
That the Transport reform was badly implemented and not fully thoguht out is a given. That the Government is eating humble pie and reversing most of the route changes is another given. That the Government has handled the economy very well in especially difficult times is another given. As is the impeccable handling of the Libya crisis.
So why on earth is Franco Debono now cutting his nose to spite his face? He is on the verge of delivering a severe blow to the PM who frankly does not deserve this. As a result this is more fodder for the Opposition who will have a field day if and when we are called to cast ours.
Think carefully and wisely France - your 5 minutes of fame may very well haunt you for a long long time. You only needed to have listened to the Leader of the Opposition and his media machine in recent weeks to conclude that now more than ever we need the par idejn sodi - and for all the rhetoric the PL has nto offered any solutions but promised everythign to everyone - now is not the time to take us down the sae abyss as Greece is in!
George Calleja
Nov 3rd 2011, 12:57
I totally agree with you ! Dr.Debono has become a lonesome cowboy shooting at everyone ,including his own feet. He's more of a primadonna who wants all cameras focused on him rather than on others. Seeing him on TV one gets the impression that he knows it all and his arguments show that he needs a lot more to gain political maturity. But if persists in his obstinacy, he will not manage to gain maturity as his parlamentary days are numbered!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 13:06
Mr Borg, the Transport reform was a splendid occasion - an optimum one, I would say - to possibly return the present Government to power, come the next election! Public transport is so 'public' that everyone would have stood to gain by a good reform.
And yet .... well, facts are facts, they are there for all to see.
So, how can you come talking about who deserves what?
The mind boggles.
Mr Joe Micallef
Nov 3rd 2011, 14:34
Franco what facts! Despite over 50 years the previous bus service (well that is a big word to use here) remained inefficient, full of abuse, polluting and excluding a huge number of people. In just a few months all are expecting that the monumental shift attempted would be running smoother than the finest oil!
Problems? If you ecxlude the real ones, certainly there are – as far as I am concerned the first of such problems is that the Government is backtracking on the reform!
Julian Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:45
@Franco Farrugia
If the sole way of judging your Government is by examining the public transport reform then you are right - but as far as I am concerned the Government is there to provide an economy that generates jobs and social wealth, a social security system that protects the less fortunate, a medical system that provides the best medical care, an education system that gives my children the opportunity to exploit their talents; an infrastructure that delivers a high standard of living and a democratic way of life. If the PN faltered - not failed on public transport reform and delivered on all the others then I know they deserve to govern this country.
On the other hand we have rhetoric......just rhetoric!
Give me peace of mind - ANY day!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 19:01
@ Julian Borg: I won't bother arguing with people who don't see past their noses. You sure aren't an Air Malta employee, that's for sure.
pat muscat
Nov 3rd 2011, 20:10
Up to a few hours before Franco Debono intervened in the discussion PN bloggers were attacking anyone who said anything against the avant-garde reform! GonziPN has been caught with his pants down. Unlike other failed projects, this time GonziPN could not hide this monumental failure.
Julian Borg
Nov 4th 2011, 06:39
@Franco Farrugia
You just proved my point.