A resignation in time saves embarrassment

Ask anybody about the number of Cabinet resignations over the past three decades and you are likely to be told precisely who they were and why they had left. Some might quip: Two few. The truth is that the culture of resignations in this country is non-existent notwithstanding the lip-service many politicians pay to it. And, yet, as the latest public transport fiasco clearly underscores, a resignation in time could avoid serious embarrassment to the government, if not worse.

Parliament is today expected to debate and vote on a motion moved by the opposition calling for Minister Austin Gatt’s resignation because of the disruptions and inconvenience that the public transport reform has caused. Now, of course, there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that this has been one big mess in terms of routes, waiting times and duration of the trips. The people in general and commuters in particular have been vociferous about it as have been politicians and even Transport Malta and Arriva, the operators, themselves.

Dr Gatt too has publicly acknowledged that the new transport system did not work and that the government had made a mistake.

The reform has followed expensive studies and consultancies and a lot of trumpet-blowing, especially by Dr Gatt’s ministry. Unsurprisingly, none of the “experts” and top ministry and Transport Malta officials have come forward to assume responsibility. Yet, the people rightly expect that somebody should carry the can and it is natural they should point their fingers at the minister first and then at his top advisers.

Had Dr Gatt and these people tendered their resignation immediately and stuck to their decision there would not have been need for today’s vote. It now emerges that Dr Gatt had offered to go during a Cabinet meeting but the Prime Minister rejected the offer. The Prime Minister was wrong. This was not the first time he refused to accept the resignation of a Transport Minister. He had done so in his previous Administration only to inform the incumbent via SMS after the election that he would not be reappointed to the Cabinet.

Why does the Prime Minister fear the culture of resignations? One can realise that he has to be careful how he handles certain elements given his slim one-seat majority in the House but a resignation is quite different.

In this latest case, given the widespread public outcry about the mess in public transport, the Prime Minister appears to be more willing to defend one of his own than insist on accountability. Sorry may be the hardest word but in politics, especially at Cabinet level, accountability demands far more than an apology. Again, the Prime Minister was wrong in thinking that he could assuage public anger by saying that both he and the whole Cabinet were assuming responsibility. That statement put the future of the government in the balance because if the opposition motion is approved the whole Cabinet and not just Dr Gatt would be in a spot.

Where the Prime Minister is absolutely right is when he unequivocally declares that he expects all Nationalist MPs to vote against the opposition motion. Dissenters may, of course, disagree and they can vote as they please but their leader has the responsibility to stress that the party they belong to is far bigger than any of them.

Here are two crucial issues: party loyalty and ministerial accountability. You either take it or leave and when you realise you have failed, just go.