I'm the voice of the electorate – Franco Debono

J Schembri

Nov 14th 2011, 17:56

Franco Debono questioned Manuel Delia's bid to be a PN candidate on his same district.

"La lingua batte dove il dente duole. “

The elimination of any possible competition in his district is more than evident.

Who’s next on the hit list , Hermann Schiavone? The others are either dormant or already eliminated.It is good to know that this gentleman was always clean and the contents of an anonymous letter just before the election were only the fruit of an evil mind. No need to say that this helped in the rise of our dear Franco in HIS district!

Hermann would be contesting the next general election on the fifth district ,one hears.

E. Forte

Nov 14th 2011, 11:24

Naqbel ma' Franco Debono li s-sistema legali għandu bżonn riforma kbira urġenti. Imma ħalla barra ħaġa importanti: Kif inġegħlu l-avukati u n-nutara jħallsu t-taxxi bħal ħadd ieħor!

Lawrence Fenech

Nov 14th 2011, 10:16

From which side are you talking Franco.

John Scerri

Nov 14th 2011, 10:03

Shall every crucial vote be dependent on whether Dr.Debono will vote for , against, or abstain.
This is going a bit too far and me thinks Dr.Debono's climax in popularity will reach an all time low if he keeps on with this trend.

I am fully in favour of backbenchers like Dr.Debono who voice their opinions and voice the electorates needs thanks to the party which respects freedom of speech , but doing this too often within a full blown news context will eventually back fire and in itself cause instability within the governing body.

Dr.Debono keep up the good work but be careful not to go overboard .

j brincat

Nov 14th 2011, 09:10

@MaryJo Camenzuli


"But he has a year to show loyalty to his own electorate and might yet be re-elected"

Do you really mean what you are saying or is it just wishful thinking so that Dr Debono shuts his mouth so that he does not jolt the government any more so that in this way it can limp its way to the next election?

And do you think that De Debono needs your advice? I think that he is intelligent enough to have already made his calculations. He has already said that for him his word of honour is above the seat of power!


(jb)

Juan Kalot

Nov 14th 2011, 09:09

I wish people would start thinking instead of blindly toe-ing the party line. Not everything PN does is right and not everything PL does is wrong. This Government had become a Gonzi dictatorship, as evidenced by the Piano farce (and much more) and someone needed to shock the leadership back to its senses..

Contrary to what Gonzi, Gatt and others might like to think, this is still a democracy (of sorts ) and we need more politicians with the courage to speak out when things are clearly wrong. Heaven knows, there are more than enough Sheep and Yes Men willing to follow Gonzi to an electoral defeat before they drop him.

Hopefully, Franco Debono has shown them what needs to be done before it's too late.

Sabrina Borda

Nov 14th 2011, 08:52

Dr Debono,

you do not need to have the voice to merely please members of your own party that are evidently at fault, the whole Nation was been watching the direction of 'responsibility' on transport incompetence unfold. It is not you who is being untrue to the Nationalist Party, it is those who apparently are supposed to have the conscience enough to admit that they have let the Maltese down, but just don't have the decency to admit it so further damage is only done by themselves.

When the people have been let down it is loud and clear but yet your Party chose to take it out on you instead as you tried to remedy it and the source of the problem which they tried to camouflage . Even the majority of the nationalists are not blind to a service gone wrong by those who rate themselves so highly.

In reality this has nothing to do with you Dr Debono, you are not to be a scape goat. This has to do with delivering the results people are expecting. This is a mere transport system, not one that is designed to take us on the Space Shuttle to the MIR Station. All Nationalists, Labour and Alternative Party supporters who need public transport have been let down without a shadow of a doubt. The difference here is that the Nationalist Party will not consider any member of theirs take on any measure of accountability, so they turned on you for supporting the Maltese people who merely need a punctual bus ride. Members of all political parties in Malta must be held accountable for not giving good results.
What is important is that you continue to voice your own beliefs and not cover anything in icing to make anyone else try to look good or because your Party thinks the Maltese are fools for sweets. You did something different for the majority of the Maltese and that was to voice your own concerns about 'irresponsibility' that was echoing from the voice of the people from all towns all over and all Parties including your very own.
A politician who joins any party must remember they are there first in principal duty bound for Malta and the Maltese not the few in Parliament on who simply sit on the same line of their bench.

K. Vella

Nov 14th 2011, 07:58

You are the voice of the electorate but prudence and proper ethical behaviour is of paramount importance.

Franco control your emotions and ambitions.

MaryJo Camenzuli

Nov 14th 2011, 07:36

Labourites 'admire' Franco Debono but they will never vote for him.

Nationalists, especially those that voted for Franco Debono, are very angry at him right now.

But he has a year to show loyalty to his own electorate and might yet be re-elected.

.

Mr Paul Borg

Nov 14th 2011, 07:25

Ghaziz, Dr, Debono. Huwa ta Unur ghalina l-Maltin li fil-Parlament ghandha lilhek, li bic-car qed turina li ghalik l-interess tal-poplu jigi l-ewwel u qabel kollox. Facilment nista nqabbel il-visjoni tieghek ma dik tal-leggendarju Manuel Dimech. Kif jaf kulhadd, dan meta ipprova jehoda kontra l-oppressjoni tal-Gvern Ingliz, kien ippersegwitat u eziljat.
Id-differenza hija li Dimech biex jiggieled ghad-drittijiet tal-Maltin, hadha kontra Gvern Barrani Ingliz waqt li Dr Franco Debono biex jiggieled ghad-drittijiet tal-Maltin qed jehodha kontra Gvern Oppressur Malti. Ironikament dan bhall Dimech ukoll qed jigi ippersegwitat u ostakolat biex jaqdi d-dmirijiet tieghu bl-lejalta lejn il-poplu Malti.

ONOREVOLI DR DEBONO, KURAGG IL-POPLU WARAJK. NASSIGURAK LI BHALL MANUEL DIMECH INTI SEJJER TNEBBET PAGNA GDIDA TA' EROJIZMU FL-ISTORJA TAL-POLITIKA MALTIJA. IL-POPLU JIRRINGRAZZJAK.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Nov 14th 2011, 02:38

'
To-day the Hon. Minister A Gatt was reported saying '' there aren't any Problems in the public transport ! '' Any comments Dr. Franco Debono ?

Mario Grima

Nov 13th 2011, 21:57

You are the voice for cowards. You make a lot of noise and yet, come crunch time you fade away. Consistency betrays you because you are always in the middle. Exactly in the middle of nowhere

M Farrugia

Nov 13th 2011, 21:37

Mhux l-issue hija hazina imma il-mod kif inti aggixxejt mal-partit tieghek u mal-kap tal-partit tieghek huwa hazin. Kien hemm diversi modi kif inti stajt tasal minghajr ma tipprova taghmel il-hsara. Izda nahseb li minflok hsara lil partit ghamilt hsara lilek innifsek u bis-sahha ta hekk mil-Gvern hareg b'sahhtu aktar. Il-gven ma kienx mohhu f'dawn il-hmerijiet tieghek imma aktar kien qieghed jikkoncentra dwar il-problemi li jistaw jilhqu l-pajjiz minhabba is-sitwazzjoni ewropej.

M Farrugia

Nov 13th 2011, 21:33

Hsibtel se tghid li inti xi vuci ta xi ORAKLU. Possibli in-nies tad-distrett li ivvutawlek kollha ghandhom l-istess opinjoni tieghek dwar certa ministri. Trid iddahhaq nahseb

raymond scicluna

Nov 13th 2011, 21:30

your limelight and the show is over now pl you can take your seat back and stay till you can.there is a limit to everything

Saviour Cachia

Nov 13th 2011, 21:06

Hon. Franco Debono, if you are the voice of the electorate, you must forget that you were elected as a Nationalist Party candidate, but purely as a member of parliament. This applies to all the 69 deputies in Parliament, because though they run for a political party, the electorate vote for them on personal basis.Obviously the popularity of the member agevolate the party and determines which party govern the country, once backed by the majority of votes. There is no space for double talk. If Franco Debono mean to wholeheartedly support the Nationalist Government, please do not bluff and declare you are the voice of the electorate. If you have second thoughts about your party, just declare yourself independent and say all that benefits the electorate not the Gonzi PN Government. In my opinion you are making a whole mess of your political career and probably you will pay dearly in the forthcoming election. The only way to save your political future is to declare yourself independent, once you are really convinced that you do not like the way Gonzi PN is running the country. Vote of confidence in a Government which is handicapped with the presence of such Minister as Austin Gatt only shows that Franco Debono is paroli si, fatti no. See you at the ballot station in 2013.

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Nov 13th 2011, 21:05

Dr. Debono have never been my voice, you are not my voice and very definitely you will not be my voice.

Jonathan Caruana

Nov 13th 2011, 20:58

Tista` tastjeni f`vot ta` fiducja f`ministru tal-gvern imbaghad tivvota biex turi fiducja fil-gvern? Ghax ma tghidx li trid tkun fl-ispotlight sur Debono. U m`ghandix bzonn li ssemma` lehnek ghalija, wara kollox la nivvota lilek u lanqas lill-partit tieghek. Jekk trid iddefendi u semma lehnek ghal min ivvota lilek u lill-partit tieghek li ghaddej bhal bulldozer minn fuq il-poplu Malti.

Schembri Ray

Nov 13th 2011, 20:55

True friends are those that fight together internally and smile together externally.

Jeffrey Borg

Nov 13th 2011, 20:41

At Jimmy Magro,PN supporters probably agree with what FD is saying .
The problem with FD is elsewhere. Priorities and personal agenda.

Maybe this analogy will make you understand how I evaluate the situation.
A boy has his favourite toys in his bedroom , and a fire started in the house. All the family members are trying their best to put out the fire while the nasty neighbours are watching. The boy starts to shout and making tantrums that he wants his father to bring his favourite toys for him from upstairs, and send out his big brother out. The boy sits down and the father tries to appease him while at the same time tries to put out the fire.

Mr Emanuel Farrugia

Nov 13th 2011, 20:22

Dr Franco Debono stated the following: "the issues he has raised in Parliament – such as the right to a lawyer during interrogation and the need for the Transport Minister to assume political responsibility for the new bus service – were valid".

We need honesty, transperancy and very good direction from political members.


Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council

Jeffrey Borg

Nov 13th 2011, 20:13

I’m a fifth district voter: I will vote for a loyal PN candidate: Hermann Schiavone.

Thanks Franco, you didn't consider the county's priorities.

To tell you the truth I did not bother to read your PR exercise on this paper.

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Nov 13th 2011, 20:00

Prime Ministers surrounded by 'yes-men' are doomed to failure and that is what is happening now. The duty of a parliamentarian is to parliament and the electorate. His 'party' and for that matter any party is a reality that must understand that parliament is paramount. Given recent revelations regarding cabinet confidentiality and how the PM is alleged to have disclosed cabinet documents to his party (at least as reported), I suggest that Franco has only one course of action open to him - bring down this useless government that is all talk and no action, a party that tries to talk the talk but never walks the talk.

m. borg

Nov 13th 2011, 19:59

I would like Franco Debono explain how, after abstaining on a vote of confidence in Austin Gatt, that's how the PL motion must be viewed, would now approve the financial package of the same Austi Gatt for 2012?

Mario Camilleri

Nov 13th 2011, 19:34

Ma tixtax tkun temmen f'ħaġa u taġixxi l-kontra. Din tissejjaħ KONTRADIZZJONI. Jew qiegħed tirrapreżenta l-kostitwenti tiegħek u l-kumplament tal-poplu jew lill-partit.
Il-poplu qed jgħid ħaġa u l-partit irid jagħmel mod ieħor. Trid tagħżel. Il-gvern huwa kompost minn ħafna nies u li fosthom hemm dwak li jissejħu esperti u konsulenti li qed jitħallsu mijiet t'eluf. Mela l-gvern mhux kritika għandu bżonn imma xi ħadd li jwaqqfu milli jkompli jkażbar lill-poplu. Aħjar ma tikkritika xejn u timxi mal-linja tal-partit milli qiegħed timla n-nies b'aspettattivi li finalment ma jwasslu għal imkien.
Meta fil-gvern l-għan ta' kull membru fil-kabinett u li jara li jimxi fid-direzzjoni li jtejjeb il-ħajja tal-poplu kollu rrelevanti l-kulur politiku. Fil-gvern ma jibqax aktar l-għan li timxi skont kif qed jotolbok il-partit jew l-kostitwenti tal-kulur tal-partit tiegħek. Il-partit u l-gvren iridu jinfirdu minn xulxin, inkella jkollok nazzjon u gvern ta' partit.

John Azzopoardi

Nov 13th 2011, 19:14

I think Franco thinks that he has been already selected as the next PN leader. He is so wrong /. The mistake he made was working outside the party . He is now forever doomed as no one will in his right mind elect him to be anything. In life, once you choose this path, you will be sidelined. However, if you have a big head full of yourslf,, then let it be it. Only time will tell.

Stephen Florian

Nov 13th 2011, 19:06

Dr.Debono, stay that way, BOLD and RESOLUTE and rest assured that you are not alone.

joseph gaffarena

Nov 13th 2011, 18:36

YOU ARE YOUR OWN PRIVATE INTEREST VOICE.
Im more than sure that if our prime minister make you a minister you will even sleep at castille.

M. Bezzina

Nov 13th 2011, 18:32

jin l interess tijaj all pajjizi mhux all politikanti ,jin nahseb li franco tkellem f isem dawk li huma frustrati fit trasport pubbliku ghalija ghamel sew ,min jikritikah kif tkellem jew jew ma jaqbilx mijaw jew ghax nazzjonalist jew ghandu xi interess mill partit nazzjonalista ghall gwadann tijaw .Franco nahseb ukoll li tefgha il gebla fuq saqajh ax mhux jinzel tajjeb mall partit tijaw..li ma kienx membru parlamentari ilhom li tajruh in naz, jek jerga jkun fil gvern il pn franco irid jahseb ftit ghall rasu ,jek jitla il pl jaqbillu jmur mall pl li manimmaginax ha jghamel hekk,

warren zammit

Nov 13th 2011, 18:27

you are your political party voice, because if you cared about us you should have voted with the opposition not abstaining, moreover knowing what will the speaker vote will be. Everything is literally a play.

G Mangion

Nov 13th 2011, 18:02

Let's be a bit reasonable, The way Dr Franco Debono stand these last few Day's in Parlament by absteinig
on Dr A Gatt's Vote, is being miseld or mistaking by many people here !! ( most of them mlp supporters hoping that the the one seat Majority will be lost from the P.N in Gov't, and by Who ? Dr Franco Debono !!

He is an outspoken Man and that is what The Prime Minister L. Gonzi wants around him, Not M.P's that dont dare Auto Criticse there own Gov't somthing an M.P Cannot do in the pl clan............!

G.Mangion.

Victor Vella

Nov 13th 2011, 17:53

If you are the voice of the electorate your party cheated the electorate that voted for you. You are seeing your constituents suffering and you are part a collective party that have no more social conscience but arrogance and institutionalized corruption. Stop trying Dr Debono to be the laughing stock of the PN. You are influencing nobody.

Michael Grima

Nov 13th 2011, 17:08

You are defintely not my voice! you should run for the next election as an independant candidate, let s see how popular you really are!

Peter Agius

Nov 13th 2011, 16:50

You are not my voice, Dr.Debono. You are not even my whisper. I see you perforn in Court and in Parliament, and say to myself........... what an arrogant person.

R. Gauci

Nov 13th 2011, 16:43

Mela waqqa l-Gvern Franco ghax il-maggoranza tal-poplu xebghat minn GonziPN!

A. Tabone

Nov 13th 2011, 16:08

Franco "Id-Dinja Ddur Madwari" Debono.

John Alex Iles

Nov 13th 2011, 15:53

I am the voice of Two pensioners (Myself & my wife).
Water & Electricity Bills .....Exhorbitant
Petrol & Diesl.............Shear Robery
Medicinals..................Check Overseas Prices(eg. Canada)
Gas......................Need I say MORE it's really getting BORING

E. Azzopardi

Nov 13th 2011, 15:30

Yeah, that is what polticians say. Look what happened with the divorce vote, for example. Many did not listen to the people and voted against. Losing all trust.

Ruth Muscat

Nov 13th 2011, 15:26

I congratulate Dr Franco Debono for being bold enough to say what is going wrong and encourage him to continue in this spirit.

Giovann Demartino

Nov 13th 2011, 15:20

M'ghandikx idea kemm int zbaljat, Dr Debono. Bil-kbir ukoll. Il-partitarji jridu jkunu jafu jekk int issir ministru ribqax rkun the voice of the electorate.

Philip Hili

Nov 13th 2011, 15:03

I was shocked this morning when I bought the papers as usual and found out on the heading of the TOM that The Onor. Dr. Franco Debono is my voice!!! "I'm the voice of the electorate – Franco Debono" Oh! No. Dr. Debono, you are not my voice in Parliament. Others speak for themselves. I do not want neither you, an immature person in politics nor other disloyal persons to represent me in parliament. Stop using us for your own whims. I was shocked not only by this heading, but also when I read the contribution by a seasoned politician and a well known economist!

When all people who have good knowledge of economics and call themselves ECONOMISTS, the day after the fall of the Italina prime minister and a good start for the global economy, one of the most respected, wise economist on the island preferred to contribute to this week's contribution by attacking the "Public Transport" failer..... Oh! no.

Joseph Calleja

Nov 13th 2011, 14:57

If like you say, you are the voice of the electorate Franco Debono you would have voted Yes or No and not abstain. I don't care what party you represent but you did not represent anybody by abstaining. You should have been man enough to vote one way or the other. What you did is wrong, very wrong and your only excuse is that you are a politician. You instigated the whole argument but when it came to the show down, you fled. You cannot throw the rock and run, it is not that easy. By abstaining, you gave the PM the upper hand and kept yours clean?

Jonathan Caruana

Nov 13th 2011, 14:22

and I don`t want mr Debono to speak on my behalf. I don`t trust him. He is one of those who have put this Island in ruins. So speak for those who voted for you.

Jonathan Caruana

Nov 13th 2011, 14:19

Laughing at voice of he electorate...he wanted to be in the spotlight. If he wanted to be the voice of the electorate, he should have VOTED WITH THE OPPOSITION. That`s what Dom Mintoff did. So first he didn`t vote in Dr Gatt`s confidence vote ( and he knew that the speaker was going to vote in favour of Dr Gatt ), and then he had confidence in the government. Can you believe this? Can you trust these people? You`re either against in both or in favour. Common sense. But common sense is not so common after all. Did he get his 500euros weekly increase? I`m not so sure.

joanne pace

Nov 13th 2011, 14:14

Or the desperate...

Peppi Borg

Nov 13th 2011, 14:06

I am happy to hear that Dr Franco Debono is the voice of the electorate.  The electorate is already stretched to its financial limit, and the elcetorate cannot afford increases in the water and electricity bills.  I hope that Dr Franco Debono, as voice of the electorate, will oppose to a budget vote which increases these tariffs.  

Joe Fenech

Nov 13th 2011, 13:42

Same old story.. This awe has confirmed that most of the Maltese people are still living in the middle ages. 'Enlighten yourselves' dodos!

Charles Sammut

Nov 13th 2011, 13:15

The REAL voice of the electorate is crying out for gonzi ,austin and tonio to go away! You had the chance to send them packing by crossing the floor, but you did not. All you did is give austin more arrogance than he ever had!
"Debono says that the way he speaks is the natural political language which will be used in 10 to 15 years time."...what do you mean by this crap??! We demand a language which we can understand and trust NOW and not in 10 to 15 years' time!!!
We have had enough of political language which comes out of forked tongues and is full of lies and deceit.
Get rid of your delusion that YOU are the voice of the people!

...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on......

Tony Agius

Nov 13th 2011, 12:47

Hsiebek hemm Franco , thallix rasek tkompli tigbirlek bdan il mod li tider li qiegheda tigber , ghax tista itelfek il bilanc , u twaqqek ma l - art . Inti vera li inti il vuci ta parti min l'elettorat , imma biss ta parti u mhux ta kulhadd. Tinsiex li hemm xi uhud li - icapcpulekk sempliciment ghax ihossu li l'azzjoni tieghek hija ta vantag ghalihom u mhux ghalik .

Ms.D. Galea

Nov 13th 2011, 12:33

In mind comes the well known Maltese ditty about a man called Cirillo who involuntariily dirtied his trousers out of sheer bliss the first time he wore a decent suit" tas-sinjuri." He then went on to wipe himself clean with his jacket in confusion..

There is then a crude Maltese proverb referring to big heads who go badly off centre and end up emptying their bowels on floor next to the potty rather then into the potty itself.

Mr Hans Borg

Nov 13th 2011, 12:14

Voice of the Electorate - Good One!!

The electorate cannot financially afford further increases in the water and electricity bills. Now comes your real test Dr Debono. Will you vote in favour of increases in our water and electricity bills?

Patrick Sacco

Nov 13th 2011, 12:05

The mere fact that we are still discussing this is a clear indication that in Malta there is NO democracy or it's a FAKE one!

Dr. Franco Debono has a RIGHT to his opinion, whether you like it or not!

Saviour Cachia

Nov 13th 2011, 11:52

So the future of politics in Malta is expected to mature to the style Hon. Franco Debono mentioned. Yes it is nice to have out spoken back benchers, but finally what is the use, if the same back benchers are not bold enough to do the next step: vote against the government. It would only be a waste of time and the Prime Minister and Cabinet members would not care a hoot, because they finally know that the boat will never be shaken or to say the most sink. So it is all gimmicks, Hon. Debono with all due respect to you and your companions in the House of Representative. And obviously the Opposition is ignored for our political system guarantees a five year dictatorship even if the election is just won by half a quota.

John Micallef

Nov 13th 2011, 11:52

Good to know that, sometimes, someone might be listening...

Martin Dimech

Nov 13th 2011, 11:35

Please, please do NOT speak on my behalf -thanks but no thanks.

M Cassar

Nov 13th 2011, 11:23

'When two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers'. I am not after theatrics and the boosting of personal egos. Maturity and genuine regard for Malta would have lead to looking into proposals and their consequences and if something went as far as being put into action and failing, contributing to the solution and its imiplementation.

You know sir, if you WERE my voice, you would be insisting that the reason for the failure is identified so that the same failure would not occur in another project. Rather than get rid of the minister I would insist that the process be evaluated and answers are tabled. Only then would it be appropriate to remove all those who failed in their duty.

Of course many are still trying to get round how one of our legislators would excuse a fifteen year old who is accused with a number of actions, which if proven would mean that peroson's lives were put at risk. Our legislator's explanation...this person was being NAUGHTY.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 13th 2011, 11:21

Dr Franco Debono is the "voice of the electorate" no less, and no more, than any other member of of parliament democratically elected to parliament. He is letting ideas of grandeur go to his head.

Joanne Micallef

Nov 13th 2011, 11:13

I sincerely applaud Mr Franco Debono for he still believes that politicians are there to serve the people who elected them, not to mention pay their MP wages. I doubt that this country would be in such a mess if there were more MP’s like Mr Debono. As a floating voter I would have voted for him if he was contesting in my area, as I truly like his spirit, and sincerely hope that his fellow politicians don’t manage to beak him.

Mr C Galea

Nov 13th 2011, 11:08

Re Nationalist MP Franco Debono
Keep up the good work you are worth every penny. You get my vote.

Joe Diacono

Nov 13th 2011, 10:55

Dr Debono with all due respect, should you really have the electorate at heart you would have acted from within where change could have really been done.

To me all this is just a way of attracting attention, and a vote catching gimick.
You definitly will think otherwise, but I think that we would have been better served had you, and everyone that can make a difference, knocked their heads , pulled one rope, in one direction together, to see how to get our economy up and running.

The opportunities are there for all to see and yet we keep missing them.

Ask any business on the cashflow problems, speak to the banks and see the number of loans that are late on repayments, look at the number of people wrongly using credit they to not have to get by, look at the building industry, tourism, textile and so many other service industries.....

We have the advantage of being small and yet we do not take advantage of this situation.

This is what needs to be seen to rather than waisting our time on these less important issues.

Joseph Agius

Nov 13th 2011, 10:54

Surely not my voice !....would certainly prefer political language the likes of Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and Dr Guido Demarco in 15 years time! Intelligent, loyal, respectful, eloquent, dignified and smart.

Joe Diacono

Nov 13th 2011, 10:52

Dr Debono with all due respect, should you really have the electorate at heart you would have acted from within where change could have really been done.

To me all this is just a way of attracting attention, and a vote catching gimick.
You definitly will think otherwise, but I think that we would have been better served had you, and everyone that can make a difference, knocked their heads , pulled one rope, in one direction together, to see how to get our economy up and running.

The opportunities are there for all to see and yet we keep missing them.

Ask any business on the cashflow problems, speak to the banks and see the number of loans that are late on repayments, look at the number of people wrongly using credit they to not have to get by, look at the building industry, tourism, textile and so many other service industries.....

We have the advantage of being small and yet we do not take advantage of this situation.

This is what needs to be seen to rather than waisting our time on these less important issues.

A Dimech

Nov 13th 2011, 10:51

Two questions for Franco now:-

1. What if the party continues not to listen in what he is saying?

2. What if the party starts to put him aside or even not allow him to candidate under their banner?

He has to think about this.... because reality is that he will be faced by these two questions very soon.

Jimmy Magro

Nov 13th 2011, 10:51

Comments from the public continue to confirm the political divisions of our country:

PN supporters would like to see FD out of the PN

LP supporters love to see this show

Intelligent voters understands that FD represents some of their issues, although not everybody supports his stand to stand by the criminals rather than with society. IN recent comments by the public there has been more calls for a severe penal system than to continue to enact laws that provides rights to criminals, even when still under investigation.

It is to be noted that most of the demands regarding the legal systems creates a notion of self interest since FD practices law as a profession. Hence the question comes to mind: in these maters is he crying for the people or for himself?

FD rarely speaks about those without work, the Air Malta employees, the Dockyard employees, high energy prices etc etc. I wonder how much the ordinary law abiding citizen really cares about the legal issues raised by FD.

David Scicluna

Nov 13th 2011, 10:48

Well done Dr Franco Debono. Jiena bhalissa mhux ta` l-istess partit u naqbel ghal mod kif qieghed titkellem. Jien ghandi l-principji tieghi u dak li hu tajjeb nghidlu tajjeb u dak li hu hazin nghidlu hazin ikun l imma partit ikun. U bhalhekk kellu bzonn ikollna aktar fil-parlament, ghax hemm hafna min jiggieled ghas vot biex jerbah is-siggu u ma jiggielitx ghal kustitwent. Pero` cert li int u min tkellem bhalhekk ( Jeffery, Jesmond u ohrajn) igibu aktar voti. Keep it up ghax is-sewwa jirbah zgur.

G Tonna

Nov 13th 2011, 10:45

Thunder makes a loud noise but it's the quiet sky that lasts.

Loud people might distract the crowd but it is the sensible and sensitive ones that could make the lasting impression.

In the same manner, wait for other people to appreciate your success rather than bragging about it.

D. A . Agius

Nov 13th 2011, 10:36

The issue is, do we have PARTIES representing the people or MPs?

The dualism which exists in this country simply results in DISSERVICE to the majority of the population.

Franco said one good thing: A party with a slim majority stays on its toes in order to appease the public.

Hope we have a million other Francos in parliament, both under a Nationalist or a Labour government. The only caveat though, is whether these Francos would be capable enough of stamping their feet down on really important issues rather than trivialities or personal grudges (not the case this time as it seems, though a bit of grudge can be seen between the lines). The only way the electorate can influence this is by electing deserving candidates.

Parties are important, but we don't elect parties, we elect MPs. The parties are there to SERVE and assist, not to be SERVED by MPs who are elected to Serve the country.

This case is a proof that our division based political environment is doomed for failure unless ALL (And that includes Nationalist, Labour, AD) parties change the system to where a Minister works hand in hand with the shadow minister, with the latter making the decisions based on policies based on consultation with both the electorate and experts.

Modern technology as well can serve to good use for the new generation to give speedier feedback on day-to-day government operation.

Speaking of which, why haven't we heard of any system to vote "electronically"? An optional mixed system based Paper/OCR Scanning would serve good for both swifter counting as well as providing backup system for manual counting if necessary. Maybe an issue to take up Franco

MaryJo Camenzuli

Nov 13th 2011, 10:33

Labourites commenting here that they 'admire' Franco Debono will never vote for him however much they 'admire' him.

Nationalists who voted for Franco Debono in the Fifth District in the last election are very angry at him right now.

But he still has time to show loyalty to the majority that wanted a Nationalist government and he might yet be re-elected.

.

j brincat

Nov 13th 2011, 10:33

@Anton Vella

"Dr. Debono, you became the laughingstock of the PL, and the pain for the PN! Who are you trying to imitate? Zorro? or Robin Hood!? You were elected under the PN umbrella, and that is where those who voted for you expect you to stay. It is stupid to wash dirty linen in public, and if you have an issue as your voice is not heard use other means than that of threatening with your vote"

Unquote:Certainly not a lesson in the basic principles of democracy.


(jb)

Giovann Demartino

Nov 13th 2011, 10:30

Kemm ghandek zball ohxon, Onorevoli. Hafna, hafna ohxon L-idea tal-partitarji, tal-maggoranza kbira taghhom hi li jekk issir ministru tibda tahseb hafna differenti.

Dr Anthony Licari

Nov 13th 2011, 10:30

The interviewer reveals an obsession to press Dr Debono to express himself on national issues within his party. This is wrong. National issues must be exposed nationally. I know many PN sympathisers who admit that Dr Debono keeps them from becoming floating voters. So let Franco, for Heaven's sake, keep expressing what many people in all parties wish to hear - especially since it may lead to political and administrative action.

Clayton Silvio

Nov 13th 2011, 10:29

Sabiex id-demokrazija tkun effettiva fl-operat ta' stat, mhux bizzejjed illi wiehed ihares biss lejn partit politiku maghzul mil-elettorat. Kull individwu fil-parlament ghandu japplika bosta kriterji meta ajsal biex jiehu decizjoni jew jastjeni minnha. Fost dawn ghandu jhares lejn:

1. L-alleanza, it-twemmin u d-direzzjoni tal-grupp li ghazel li jirraprezenta (il-Partit)
2. It-twemmin, il-valuri, l-fehma u gudizzju tieghu bhala individwu li ghandu l-fiducja tal-poplu (li ghandu jkun esprimijhom pbblikament)
3. il-Kostituzzjoni
4. Iix-xewqat tal-poplu li qed jirraprezenta
5. id-drittijiet ta' kull individwu
6. u l-interess u l-gid tal-poplu, bhala socjeta' shiha

Jekk jonqos minn wiehed dan, allura ma jkunx qieghed jaqdi dmiru sewwa. L-idea illi kull MP ghandu jaqbel ma' dak illi l-gvern ikun qed jiproponi, u allura tkun qed teskludi l-element ta' diskussjoni fil-berah (fakulta vitali fl-interess publiku) u tillimita konsiderevolment li decizjoni fuq livell nazzjonali tkun ittiehdet bl-ahjar mod , huwa xkiel u theddida serja ghad-demokrazija.

Il-konvenzjoni li vot mitluf mil-gvern fuq mozjoni li jressaq, jammonta ghal-vot ta' no-confidence, mhux qed thalli d-demokrazija topera kif suppost. Vote of no-confidence huwa biss wiehed formali, hekk kif ghadu kemm ittiehed. Dan ma jfissirx illi naqbel u kulhadd gahndu jaqbel ma' kull ma qal Dr. F Debono, tant illi ghalekk hemm bzonn aktar spazju ghad-diskusjoni fil-parlament. Ghallekk naqbel mal-mekkanizmu li qed jiprova jhaddem. Wara kollox, kull membru parlamentari huwa individwalment imhallas (u mhux b'mod kollettiv bhala partit) mit-taxxi tal-poplu, biex fejn fid-diskrezjoni tieghu (b'referenza ghall-kriterji hawn fuq imsemmija) ihoss illi ghandu jsemma lehnu u jaghti l-opnjoni tieghu, mhux bi dritt izda bi dmir u obbligu, ghandu jaghmel dan liberalment u minhajr ebda restrizzjonijiet legali jew politici.

Bhala cittadin, jien ma jinteressanix mill-interessi u l-popolarita tal-gvern jew xi partit politiku, izda jinteressani, li kwalunkwe decizjoni jew mizura li tkun ser taffetwani, tkun ittiehdet u saret bl-ahjar mod.

Mario P. Sciberras

Nov 13th 2011, 10:22

This man brings to mind the Maltese proverb "libes il-qalziet twil u k...... fih".

E. Vassallo

Nov 13th 2011, 10:15

Mela, Franco, keep on dreaming in your world. Qed narawhom in-nies jitkaxkru ma lart biex jirringrazzjawk. Mur saqsi lin-Nazzjonalist ha tar x'jghidulek!!!

V. Cauchi

Nov 13th 2011, 10:10

The real issue is not that of an individual who now or in 10 to 15 years time rocks any party's boat, but that the current backbench situation is only symptomatic of the fact that we can be run by a government which snatches an election by a final week tirade in a six-week electoral campaign by which it pulls the rug from under the its opponents feet. What we are seeing from government backbenchers is a cathartic expression of the collective guilt of winning an election and being in government in this manner, a feeling which also expressed by the PM days after the election that he was NOT expecting this win.
Yet systems and numbers being what they are, we have to move along with a parliamentary majority and the formation of a government and there was certainly not much doing than having a government formed notwithstanding the gimmickry of the situation. Only that we are now aware that elections can be won or lost in Malta either by gerrymandering, constitutional juggling, or last minute ace showing, and that a few thousand votes can make all the difference, and guilt, for a won or lost election.
Perhaps also for Malta there may be a time when the EU will suggest, or tactfully impose, coalitions as the most democratic solution for our governance, at least in the financial/ economic field about which there ought to be no partisan bickering.

Carmel Grima

Nov 13th 2011, 10:08

Franco Debono is a man who feels and understands the basic needs of the people.
Dr. Gonzi, for your own sake and that of your party and that of the entire population of these blessed islands listen to him. Get off your high horse, listen and let him be.
Carmel Grima

Anton Vella

Nov 13th 2011, 10:07

Dr. Debono, you became the laughingstock of the PL, and the pain for the PN! Who are you trying to imitate? Zorro? or Robin Hood!? You were elected under the PN umbrella, and that is where those who voted for you expect you to stay. It is stupid to wash dirty linen in public, and if you have an issue as your voice is not heard use other means than that of threatening with your vote.

Henry Mifsud

Nov 13th 2011, 10:05

I cannot but agree more with Dr. Franco Debono that he is the voice of the electorate – that is why the electorate is going to oust out the PN from government soon. The PM and his lackeys tried to ridicule Dr. Debono and simply could not comprehend his avant garde ideas. As he said, maybe in 10 to 15 years time they will begin to speak such political language and who knows, maybe they shall be returned to power then. In the meantime I suggest to them to beware the ides of March!

j brincat

Nov 13th 2011, 10:04

@Dennis Zammit

Quote:"How can the electorate trust you? How can we BELIEVE you?

YOU CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

You undermined your own party too many times.

Do your country and your party (if it is still your party) a big favour . . . . resign!"

Did you see any MINISTER resign, and there was not just one case which justified this? How, then can you expect a backbencher to resign?

In Franco's own words he is not destabilising the government. He is just jolting it and make it shudder every so often.

Not the ideal way that this country should be led but still the government will limp its way till the next election bringing an end to the myth of a government with 'Par idejn sodi'!

(jb)

Anthony Mizzi

Nov 13th 2011, 10:02

I'm the voice of the electorate – Franco Debono

That is why YOU need to be silenced and appeased!

John Caruana

Nov 13th 2011, 10:01

We have a politician who does not beat round the bush. Keep it up Franco and thanks

Paul Micallef

Nov 13th 2011, 10:01

Jump from a high cliff????WOW, that is what i call Being a good CHRISTIAN.
NO I say, come with people who understand you,and who are PROGRESSIVE, NOT STAGNATED.
We as a party have had our share of people who disagre with us in our own ranks, look at MINTOFF, but i never blamed him for what happend, but how can you blame FRANCO??? Il- partit tal PN spiccut, u tridu fminn twehlu tal faliment li ghawn, ECONOMIJA imxit il-quddiem bil bejh taz zejt, li beghaw lil LIBJA, mhux fsetturi MALTIN, IL-FINANCIAL insttutions mhux TAGHANA, ghax il-flus li jaqalaw barra immorru, kollox fuq il-karti ghandna. Resturanti mimlijien, ghax hekk jeghed GONZI, fejn qabel tihu HUTA,JEW STEAK illum tihu PLATT GHAGIN, insaqsi lill tar RESTURANTI, QED TLAHQU??????? KEEP IT UP FRANCO,WE NEED YOU IN OUR RANKS:

Anthony Roberts

Nov 13th 2011, 09:55

A man of the future

Joe Fenech

Nov 13th 2011, 09:53

This awe has confirmed that most of the Maltese people are still living in the middle ages. 'Enlighten yourselves' dodos!

Robert Mifsud

Nov 13th 2011, 09:52

Prosit Franco,keep it up,if it was`nt for your courage to speak up,the public transport system would have got worse and nothing and no one would have done a single thing to remedy things.

Joe Fenech

Nov 13th 2011, 09:29

Good! We are aware of that Franco. At least there is one who is not a lemming !

Dennis Zammit

Nov 13th 2011, 09:28

How can the electorate trust you? How can we BELIEVE you?

YOU CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

You undermined your own party too many times.

Do your country and your party (if it is still your party) a big favour . . . . resign!

Charles Micallef

Nov 13th 2011, 09:26

We are with you Franco, and please do not let them intimidate you!