Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has declared that he agrees with the conclusion of the editorial of  The Times that 'there now seems to be only one way forward: an election as soon as possible'.

In an entry on his facebook wall in which he speaks about Franco Debono's abstention on the vote of no confidence in the government yesterday, Dr Pullicino Orlando, who has declared he will not be contesting the next election, wrote:

"Hon. Debono refused to support government in Parliament for the third time in the space of two years yesterday. An abstention in a no-confidence vote carries a lot of weight.

"He has asked for the resignation of the Prime Minister. He has asked for the resignation of a number of ministers.

"He has declared that he feels that the Prime Minister is controlled by a 'web of evil' and that we are living in an oligarchy and not a democracy... that is why I agree with the conclusions of today's 'Times' editorial. This country needs stability."

In its editorial The Times said:

"There now seems to be only one way forward: an election as soon as possible. After all, a car with a punctured tyre cannot go very far.

"Admittedly, going to the polls at this stage may be against the wishes of the two main parties. They would have certainly preferred having more time to prepare themselves better before facing an election.

"The Labour Party might well expect that, with the government having made so many glaring mistakes, Castille is theirs for the taking.

"On the other hand, though the Nationalists may have shot themselves in the foot far too often, they are not likely to give up the possibility of regaining power, even though the odds may not be in their favour.

"This being a functioning democracy, it is up to the sovereign electorate to make the choice. Given what happened in Parliament yesterday, the sooner electors are called to pronounce their verdict the better for all."

Speaking on Affari Taghna later tonight, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that one had to be an ostrich with his head stuck in the sand to insist that there is stability.

He said that Dr Debono had made valid points and serious points, upon which he had insisted. He agreed with some of them but not with his methods since there were other avenues he could have taken.

It was a shame that because of the methodology used by Dr Debono, issues of utmost importance he had raised - such as the need for legislation on party financing and better libel laws, would not be addressed, Dr Pullicino Orlando said.

Dr Debono's statements, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, could not be ignored because "they could return to haunt you".

Replying to questions, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that had he been the coach of the parliamentary group he would have ensured that everyone was included. Some players, he said, would have been better placed in defence rather than in attack.

"Could we have used people such as Louis Galea and John Dalli better, for exampe? Could certain ministers who had performed miracles in previous legislatures not been discarded through an SMS? Could people have not been used better? Could we have not listed to Dr Debono more so that the situation would not have got to get to the point it is now in?" Dr Pullicino Orlando asked.

Pointing out again that he did not agree with Dr Debono's methods, Dr Pullicino asked also if it was that when Dr Debono was appointed parliamentary assistant he had been thrown into an office and given nothing to do.

He said that it hurt, for example,that the PN parliamentary group learnt that George Abela was being appointed President from The Sunday Times.

The government, he said, should move the pending money bill in Parliament for debate as soon as possible to see if a possible coalition between the government and Dr Debono existed and if it did not, there would be no other option for the country but for an election to be held as soon as possible.

PN executive council president Marthese Portelli said during the programme that although Dr Debono had submitted several resignation letters to the party, following his last he attended party activities so through his actions he had withdrawn such resignation.

MUGLIETT HAS DOUBTS

Meanwhile, another Nationalist MP, Jesmond Mugliett said he was not sure that the situation was stable enough for the governent to continue for the whole of this legislature and one had to see the outcome of various votes due in Parliament and whether the Speaker's casting vote would be required, he told One News.

Nationalist whip David Agius, speaking on Ghandi xi nghid on Radio Malta, said the prime minister had emerged stronger than before after Thursday's vote. He said he still considered Franco Debono as a member of the PN family.