Gonzi offers Labour joint House committee
PN MP Franco Debono was last night sticking by his intention to abstain on the opposition motion.
The Prime Minister yesterday sought desperately to head off the spectre of a highly damaging vote in Parliament tomorrow, with a request to Labour to postpone discussion of its motion on transport reform and another effort planned to persuade MP Franco Debono to return to government ranks.
Lawrence Gonzi said if the Opposition Leader really wanted the best for the country he should put off the discussion.
If this was done he was willing to set up a joint parliamentary committee to oversee the transport reform and ensure it was concluded positively.
Dr Gonzi was speaking at the annual general meeting of the PN’s youth movement, which took a unanimous stand urging Nationalist MPs to reject the opposition’s “opportunistic” motion of no-confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt over the failed transport reform.
Although the MŻPN acknowledged both the positive changes and the shortcomings in the bus service and looked forward to its improvement, its own motion criticised the Opposition for not giving any feedback during the consultation period.
The Prime Minister lent weight to the MŻPN motion when, in an hour-long speech, he said he agreed with it perfectly.
Dr Gonzi said he wanted to transform the “typical Labourite negative motion” into a “perfectly Nationalist, realistic, optimistic and constructive” motion, in the spirit of the MŻPN stand. This would be the ideal solution, he said.
He announced that the PN would hold a third executive meeting today on the subject, after the two held in the past weeks, to conclude discussions ahead of the vote.
If there was no agreement on the amendment, he said, he would expect all Nationalist MPs to vote against the opposition motion.
However, Dr Debono remained unmoved by Dr Gonzi’s appeal, repeating his intention to abstain from the motion last night.
Dr Debono is the only MP who has declared he will be abstaining from the motion, which, due to the government’s one-seat majority, would leave its outcome up to the Speaker’s casting vote. Nationalist MP Jesmond Mugliett has refused to say how he may be voting.
At Monday’s PN executive meeting, officials urged Dr Debono to propose an amendment to Labour’s motion which would acknowledge the failures of the reform but not go as far as to demand Dr Gatt’s resignation.
If this happens, the amended motion is likely to be approved and will supersede the one presented by the opposition, rescuing Dr Gatt from an embarrassing end to his long political career.
Dr Debono promised to evaluate the possibility of putting forward such an amendment but when contacted yesterday he stressed that his position had not yet changed.
Meanwhile, several questions remain unanswered about the surprise announcement made on Tuesday afternoon that Dr Gatt offered his resignation to the Prime Minister a month ago.
Dr Gonzi said he refused this offer, which was made during a Cabinet session on October 3, just three days before Dr Gatt said he was “baffled” as to why he was being blamed for Arriva’s shortcomings. Some time afterwards, Dr Gatt assumed political responsibility only to tell the PN executive meeting this week that the reform was approved in detail by the entire Cabinet and he could therefore not be held singularly responsible.
Dr Gatt has refused to clarify his position or to explain whether he submitted his resignation in writing or as a passing remark in Cabinet.
“I have nothing to add as I do not clarify remarks made by the Prime Minister,” he told The Times when contacted yesterday. He also declined to confirm whether he would approve an amendment to the Labour Party’s motion which included an apology from him.
Meanwhile, Dr Gonzi has gone on record saying that the whole Cabinet was “assuming political responsibility” for the reform, though he has refused to define what this means.
He also failed to say whether the parliamentary vote was being seen as a vote of no confidence in the entire Cabinet and whether all members would resign if it passed.
“There’s nothing to add to what the Prime Minister has already stated publicly,” his spokesman said yesterday.
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Ian Mamo
Jan 23rd 2012, 12:58
Funny how things are.....
No one is trying to be sherlock holmes about the Gera Incident...
No one is trying to point out how bad our Arriva services are......
F daqqa wahda dawk il problemi telqu....
2 possible reasons : either this election movement is soooooo important.
or : They weren't problems at all.... they where just something we all need to complain about...... Something to make us feel better about ourselves!!!
Nice one people.....
A Caruana
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:44
X'desperazzjioni biex Austin Gatt jibqa fil poter1 Tal ghageb, ahjar jitlaq halli dal pajjiz jiehu ir ruh!
Mr leo attard
Nov 3rd 2011, 18:30
i dont care which party is in power, they all end up more or less the same -- they seek to get what they can for themselves. kennedy said: dont ask what your country can do for yo, but what you can do for your country! ..... People are not gullible anymore! The common people suffer while theutterly vast majority of politicians enjoy the goodies. What people want to know now is what they expect the country to do for them! when kennedy said his famous words he was snuggling up with marilyn monroe and living off the millions his father reaped in ambiguous ways.... what i look for in my political leader is honesty but when i ask the question the answer is : Duuuuuuuhhhhh, what is that?
Hossam Helwani
Nov 3rd 2011, 16:07
@ charles tabone
are you really serious? do you really know what you are saying?
"Gonzi's insatiable urge to hold on to power knows no bounds."
All you need to know is a bit of political history and just read the results of election 1981 to really know who did not want to relinquish power!
charles tabone
Nov 3rd 2011, 13:08
Can Dr Gonzi be trusted? Don't we all remember PL's acceptance to be on the Commission for Air Malta and was then ignored completely? Gonzi's insatiable urge to hold on to power knows no bounds.Hallina Dottor Gonzi.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Nov 3rd 2011, 12:11
People have lost all trust and faith in all major institutions in this land - they all are submerged profusely in stench emitting out of encircled corruption: so no better can be expected out of the ordinary folk who must follow the illustrious example of their leaders, democratically autocratic leaders that is!!
Our Constitution has to be given a lay outfit in line with the People`s Power Design - Parliament has to be completely restructured as PL Joe Muscat recommended - the role of the President apart from being directly chosen by the People via a Presidential Election,has to be altered substantially - the position of the Maltese Catholic Church has to be completely reassessed,in other words heavily downgraded to that of a sect as it is no more than that with all its undeserved priviliges stripped from its faceless arrogance - no politician should be in any sort of power for more than eight years [ gone should be the 16-year rules of the Mintoff & the Fenech Adami Eras ] - all major Bodies have to be publicly appointed and in a transparent manner with all exposed in terms of perks and priviliges - Power must be given to the People or else the latter will simply take it as they have the legitimate authority so to do.
Malta for its People to serve ALL but Primarily its Supreme Interests : ALPHA.
Hossam Helwani
Nov 3rd 2011, 12:33
I used to admire your words but you seem to be forgetting something. you talk of stench.
I cant forget when you used to broadcast on then xandir malta, when you yourself broke all the rules taking into account that your intentions were to run for election. This you denied conveniently but when the time came for submissions to be elected you left your post.
At least people were not fooled by your game , but when you talk of stench people still remember.
I notice how much licking you are doing to dear joseph muscat. Is this in hope of aqcuiring some future appointment?
how well timed!
Anthony Mifsud Bonnici Giordani
Nov 20th 2011, 14:12
@ Hossam Helwani - antipatiku. Dejjem iddahhal lil Joseph Muscat. X'ghandu x'jaqsam? Who are YOU licking?
city busuttil
Dec 28th 2011, 10:05
"democratically autocratic", Shakespeare might have enjoyed this oxymoron. In our democracy, Parliament already reflects the will of the people.
A president being elected by the people would give us blue presidents or red presidents, not necessarily the best president.
"Parliament has to be completely restructured, as PL....recommended" ..... I have no recollection of this, pray, enlighten us ordinary folk.
Re major Bodies, I tend to agree.
J. Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 11:34
How funny.
How come the PM is offering this now. I know why, so that the PN could say that the PL doesn't want to take part and so try to deviate the people's attention from the whole chaos caused by the new transport system.
There's only one way out for Minister Gatt, that is to resign. Also since PM Gonzi said that it was the cabinet that endorsed the new routes, then it's up to him to see which is the honourable way.
Mr J Xerri
Nov 3rd 2011, 10:47
Is the Prime Minister considering another alternative to head off tomorrow's vote? That of accepting Dr Gatt's resignation. Or is Dr Gatt now insisting that the whole Cabinet is responsible for the transport gaffe and therefor now is not ready to resign?
Manwel Debattista
Nov 3rd 2011, 10:16
Poor Dr. Gonzi. I pity him but then he deserves no better. That's enough Dr. Gonzi, your time is up.
M Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 11:13
Gonzi ibqa hemm ghax il-poplu ghad ghandu bzonnok sa issa il-pajjiz ma ghandu alternattiva ghal P.N. Kull ma qed jaghmel il-L.P. huwa li jipprova jitfa il-melh fuq il-gerha sabiex jipprova jiehu vantagg politiku u xejn aktar. L-uniku pjan li il-L.P. ghandu jekk ikun fil-gvern huwa, li jipprova ibella lil dawk li jkunu b'halqhom miftuh fil-meetings sabiex jibilaw kull ma jghidulhom, li sabu dizastru u ma jistawx iwettqu dak li jixtiequ. Din hija il-politika li dejjem hadem biha il-L.P.
joseph saliba
Nov 3rd 2011, 11:40
If we do not deserve such a PM then let's choose another one. Maybe we will be the poorer for that.
Brian Gatt
Nov 3rd 2011, 12:02
@ M.Farrugia,
I cant understand you political diehards.....
This goverments is drying up our finances,
because of them we are barely making it till the end of the month,
because of them prices are shooting up every month,
and to add insult to injury this goverment is so insensitive to his people's woes that he issued Eur 500 / week to the clikka and issued the people with Eur 1.60.
And you Mr diehard go out and defend him, man you are either so brainwashed and indoctrinated that you are not seeing the reality or you are just plain stupid.
Please call a Spade a Spade
Lawrence Cardona
Nov 3rd 2011, 10:15
Good the prime minister said right if the whole cabinet voted in favour then they should all resign this sound like the story of the three musketers all for one one for all i hope that Dr Lawrence Gonzi the prime minister of Malta is not in favour when Dr Austin Gatt said that the Maltese people will always find something to talk about no matter what,if i took it right Dr Austin Gatt was saying that the Maltese people are never happy with what they be given if the Prime Minister is in favour of these words to then i will remind them that the maltese people have all the right to do so for the maltese people gave them the power to lead this country and if something is going not in perspective of the maltese people they have all the right to say that it's not what they where waiting for so being arrogant is not the case all that Dr Austin Gatt had to do is go in public and said listen we tried something that we tought it would help the maltese people but we found problems we take this opportunity to ascuse ourselves to the Maltese nation and all those that where hit by this reform and promise that we do the best we can to make things go better and quick was this so hard to say and for that i'm sure the maltese that have the warmest heart on earth would have gave him again the opportunity to fix the problem a good politician is not judged if he was a good lawyer or not a good politician is judged by how good he was to serve the people this is being a good politician Dr Gatt and i'm not a lawyer just a simple man in the street who hear the cry of people.
George Calleja
Nov 3rd 2011, 10:02
Dr.Debono is playing Shylock in this whole saga. He's is twisting his idea of accountability with Dr.Gatt's presumed resignation. According to press reports Dr.Gatt has admitted his mistakes, apologised and took the blame for what he and others messed in the Arriva shambles. What else does Dr.Debono want? Is he happy to see Dr.Gatt humiliated after asking an apology? Doesn't he realise that his move is of great detriment to himself and his party?
S Vella
Nov 3rd 2011, 14:28
If Dr Gatt admitted his mistakes and therefore he is reponsable for the whole public transport mess, which of course he does not use, then for what is he getting the double wage of €500 weekly?? for his incompetence??What Accountability!!
No he did not take the blame and he was not even decent enough to ask for an apology, actually he was arrogant and replied with NO PROBLEM to that student who had the courage to cry out the pain of the general public when he went to the University.
When something works well politicians expect all the boasting and prasing, so now he has to face the humilition aswell. If he admitted the whole mess why doesnt he claim back the thousands of Euros paid from our taxes to his consultants???
TIME UP RESIGN! IF THIS FARSE HAPPENED ABROAD THE MINISTER RESPONSABLE WOULD HAVE RESIGNED LONG AGO.
Peppi Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 09:25
Well the opposition has something to offer then... surely when the government is in crisis. Blow the whistle prim. Enough is enough.
francis caruana
Nov 3rd 2011, 08:44
tim for GATT to go and to be followed by all the rest. ENOUGH IS EOUGH . You have reached your limits long time ago.
Mario Camilleri
Nov 3rd 2011, 08:12
This is smelling like humiliation for Gonzi & Co!!
Francesca Abela
Nov 3rd 2011, 08:10
The key question in most peoples' minds is exactly WHY does Gonzi persist in sticking up fro Gatt? What is behind it? Is there some sort of blackmail going on? Does someone know something that could be damaging if Gatt falls and will take others with him? Why continue to keep a Minister who has antagonised a whole chunk of the population with his arrogance and self importance? Wouldn't it be easier to have Gatt removed as the scapegoat and transfer the Public Transport sector to a Minister who can get the job done to the satisfaction of the public without too much arrogance?
Hmmm - - the next episode in this jaw dropping saga is keeping us glued to our seats!!
Patrick Zammit
Nov 3rd 2011, 09:32
Francesca
The PM has already taken away part of Austin's portfolio and transferred it to T Fenech probably due to the BWSC's smoke but no fire (found).
Charlene Bonnici
Nov 3rd 2011, 08:02
it's like the PM has his tail between his legs !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simon Bonello
Nov 3rd 2011, 08:57
you're 100% right Charlene !!
Mr Hans Borg
Nov 3rd 2011, 07:42
Nothing less than sheer arrogance by the highest paid Prime Minister!!
Hamish Dempster
Nov 3rd 2011, 07:27
What a load of beating around the bush . Icannot understand politicians as they never ever give a straight and honest reply and stand by it. DR DEBONO it either YES or NO so please stop messing around with our intelligence.
Anthony Mizzi
Nov 3rd 2011, 07:18
Dear Prime Minister,
For ONE day, just ONE Day, tomorrow 4th November 2011 as the people’s representatives not just members of the same political party as Dr. Austin Gatt, I urge you and your family members to use the Arriva Service to go about doing your daily chores ,appointments, going to work , going to college, going to any appointment , AND JUST GOIN TO VALLETTA to vote on the motion of no-confidence in Transport Minister Aus-tin Gatt over the failed transport reform.
Would you trust Arrive to get you to Parliament on time ?
Doris Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2011, 09:19
I would suggest as well that when coming to Gudja he uses the said direct Arriva bus because until now I have never seen it maybe he'll find it himself.
George Azzopardi
Nov 3rd 2011, 12:13
Lol .. if he goes from home (Marsascala) .. may I advise him to start early .. at least 3hours before!!! Tad-dahk jew tal-biki din?
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