Updated: Debono: I should be special delegate
PN’s ‘not so conservative wing has been destroyed’
Updated - Adds more comments by Dr Debono
Nationalist MP Franco Debono believes he should have been appointed instead of MEP Simon Busuttil as Lawrence Gonzi’s special delegate to reach out and listen to civil society. Dr Debono says he has “enormous respect” for Dr Busuttil and enjoys a very good relationship with him.
“But since I had spoken about the possibility of a clique within the party, I wouldn’t have taken a decision which even remotely could give a vague impression that it is always the same people who are appointed,” Dr Debono told The Times yesterday, adding that no reasons were given for Dr Busuttil’s appointment.
Prime Minister and PN leader Lawrence Gonzi appointed the hugely popular Dr Busuttil (as chairman of the party’s AŻAD think tank) to be his special delegate to coordinate the party’s communication exercise after the general council confirmed Dr Gonzi as party leader last month. Asked if he should have been chosen instead of Dr Busuttil, Dr Debono said: “Yes. Of course. I am not ashamed to say it. I was the catalyst for all this. I told them to replace GonziPN with the people’s PN.
“I can tell him (Dr Gonzi) what the people are saying. I have been saying so for ages. If he is going to start respecting the people he should start by respecting those who represent them: MPs.”
Dr Debono said Justice Minister Chris Said had sent him an SMS for help when he was appointed minister after the January Cabinet reshuffle he instigated. Now Dr Busuttil sent him a similar SMS after being appointed as a special delegate.
“Please stop it,” Dr Debono said.
Dr Debono, who abstained from a vote of no confidence in the government in January after threatening to vote against, said if these remedies did not work, “we will be stuck again”.
Now that mistakes had been acknowledged, the Prime Minister must fix what he broke. “It’s useless giving me a ball (to play with) if you have broken my leg,” he added.
“Listening to the people won’t change anything. It’s the top echelons which must change.”
Stretching the government-with-a-puncture metaphor used in the confidence debate, Dr Debono said he was the one who pointed out that the problem with the car was the driver and the engine. However, he had been left by the wayside and not given a lift.
Dr Debono also lashed out at general secretary Paul Borg Olivier, Malta’s EU ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana and PN Sliema local council candidate Julian Galea – and said the three of them should move on.
He said Dr Borg Olivier was not delivering and had his duties transferred to Transport Minister Austin Gatt and former general secretary Joe Saliba – who Dr Debono described as “one of the things leading to hope in the PN”.
“I have faith in [Joe Saliba] because he is down to earth. I think if he had been there from the start we would not have had one tenth of the problems we have been through.”
Dr Gonzi recently tasked Dr Borg Olivier with helping ministers organise outreaches but Dr Debono said this was just a “consolation prize” and that such meetings should have been done on the general secretary’s own initiative.
Shifting his focus to Mr Cachia Caruana, Dr Debono said the man who spent decades being consulted by PN leaders had given a good contribution in the past, “but there comes a time when even valid people must move on”.
As the person who came up with the idea of GonziPN, “which turned out to be a mess”, it would be a grave contradiction if he were to stay on after his mistakes were acknowledged, Dr Debono said.
Dr Debono also called for the resignation of former Sliema councillor Julian Galea, whose “phobia” for Labourites emerged recently with the publication of secret recordings of informal local council meetings.
Mr Galea said he paid Labour employees less than Nationalists and was forced to apologise by his party.
Dr Debono warned that this was another case where the PN was associated with a “culture of hatred” – of which he said he was also a victim.
The overwhelming support for Dr Gonzi in the leadership vote also showed that the “not-so-conservative” wing of the PN, which used to be represented by people like Guido de Marco and John Dalli in the past, had been “destroyed” – to the point that many have left the party structures.
“Many people are not feeling appreciated by the party,” he said, adding that the less conservative wing was the one that attracted floaters. Dr Debono stressed that he had never criticised the government before the 2009 MEP election, which the PN lost by a landslide.
He also rejected the label of “dissenter”, saying he had brought the party “out of the wilderness” and back on track.
"I was first to insist on people's PN"
Further to the above story, Nationalist MP Franco Debono explained this afternoon that he was the first one to have insisted on the PN going back to the people, having told a local newspaper on February 19: “GonziPN should go back to being the people’s party that it once was.”
“I indicated the mistakes and I had the courage to force change, indicating the direction from Gonzipn to people's PN. The mistakes I had indicated are now acknowledged and the motif I suggested people's PN is now hailed.”
Dr Debono said that in such circumstances one would have appreciated the logic of being offered the possibility of implementing the remedies, although that did not mean that he would have accepted.
“I appreciated Simon Busuttil's approach and I have no problem to work with him. His and Chris Said's invites were genuine and well meant.”
“The formula for any future solution should be to repair what has been broken, according to accountability and meritocracy.”
Dr Debono said that in the past years he had been the catalyst for major fundamental and important reforms in the party and in government, which others had then implemented whilst he sacrificed his political career and ended up with police security behind his door because of a hate campaign against him.
The method he had used, he said, was proportionate to the urgency and importance of the issues.
“Instead of being shown gratitude for being proved right I see disrespect from those who were proved wrong.”
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Jack Attard
Mar 7th 2012, 12:02
Dear Dr Debono since everyone is against you,you should join the Alternativa.
mark borg
Mar 6th 2012, 21:11
Dr.Simon Busuitt so popular -LOLLLLLLLLLLL !!! Ah yes the Patron of Burden Sharing !
William Massa
Mar 6th 2012, 18:48
Dr. Franco Debono please say loud and clearly what is it that you want??? You are feeling left out again so the best thing to do next is to increase your dose and the first vote that comes in Parliament vote with the PL. I can never see you sitting comfortably in your seat in Parliament. They dont want you with them any more. Whatever your vote you will not be accepted to be a candidate for the PN again. Give an end to your political career with a big BANG and concentrate on your abilities as a Laywer.
John Attard
Mar 7th 2012, 19:59
The truth is that Franco Debono has no guts to vote against Gonzi. Ax b xi mod il a hawala tintela.
Jonathan Zammit Lapira
Mar 6th 2012, 16:44
Mr. Megalomaniac, alias Franco Debono, please decide once and for all where you want to go and what you want to do. You resigned from the PN but still you went to collect your vote and VOTED as well!!!!!! You criticised Chris Said for sending you an sms and later praised him. You criticised Simon Busuttil for sending you an sms and later praised him. What is this confusion??? Be practical and do what you preached last January. You want to be in the lime light everyday and week by talking, talking, talking and talking and no actions. You are being left outside from everything so either you take the chance and start voting against (if voting ever happens again in parliament) or join the club and abide by its rules and clique and watch your favourite ministers perform (????).
fred sammut
Mar 6th 2012, 10:57
Dr.Franco Debono, wasn t you who said Gonzi is evil?
wasn t you who said the goverment is a hostige?
so would you want to be the special deligate of all this??
There are two ways to choose from
A - shut up and join the clique.......
or
B - if you said you lost the trust in Dr.Gonzi..... PROVE IT
You have to choose..........
Alfred Falzon
Mar 6th 2012, 08:13
Casuistry seems to have taken over within the higher echelons of PN circles!
A pity, but the Party will have to pay a high price for its endearment to the discriminate policy of "two weights and two measures" now even within its own rank and file!
Too many blunders and there is no end to them from what we have lately witnessed.
Yes, it has missed an opportunity by refusing to take time by the forelock, the Dr Franco Debono saga being a case in point!
Now, the writing is already showing on the wall even if it is still too hard to believe!
Alfred A. Falzon
Andrea Giallombardo
Mar 6th 2012, 05:39
I am seriously fed up of this political panto caused by Dr. Debono. I admire how he sticks to his cause but there is a limit to what he can say and criticise. His points have gone stale and he's just arguing in circles, wasting everyone's time and trying to cause more problems than there are!
Francis Grech
Mar 6th 2012, 01:30
Mr Debono, I and a lot of other people admired your courageous attitude for what you were doing trying to change the attiude of the PM and his clique work,but you had done a somersalt and ended into their hands again after all what was said about you,my friend I am not a very clever person but can tell you this your time in that party is being counted day by day,you should have done what was on your mind the first time,no cutting corners, Jobs done.
Donna Parnis
Mar 6th 2012, 00:48
Hey franco, please dont try to join the LP as they dont need people like you who say they will do one thing then do the opposite. you are in the right party. What you really need to do is join the clique you keep on about and maybe you will get somewhere. But please give the rest of the population a rest with your crying. You had your chance and blew it now we are fed up listening to you. If you havent got the guts to stand up for what you believe in then just give it a rest, Put up or shut up Franco.
Kevin Marks
Mar 5th 2012, 21:20
Jien ma naqbilx ma Dr Gonzi pero kieku nahseb kont minfloku il Franco ntih il genb u ma naghtix kasu iktar! Dr Debono m intix kredibbli aktar xi hadd interpretak bhala political rubbish u veru. Darba kont nahdem go post u kien hemm shop steward li kull kunflitt li kien ikollu anke zghir kien jeghdded bi strike u fl ahhar spicca li l managment lanqas biss kienu jikkalkulawh u inti hekk gralek!
Peppi Borg
Mar 5th 2012, 20:47
The election within the PN group was a gimmick and this article proves it.
GEORGE CUTAJAR
Mar 5th 2012, 19:43
“Please stop it,” Dr Debono said
Dr. Debono it is about time that you STOP IT once and for all. You are causing untold harm to the Party which you say you love and your antics are now becoming a joke.
You are once again acting like a child who wants more sweets and when you do not get them you stamp your feet and throw tantrums. At this rate you are better off going to Tibet and leaving us all in peace.
So please STOP IT and SHUT UP.
Mario Vella
Mar 5th 2012, 20:18
is that all you have to say?can't you challenge the good points that Dr Debono is making?Im sorry but you are just a 'partitarju fanatiku' and this is not the right place for people like you!So go and fetch your sweets!
John Schembri
Mar 5th 2012, 19:39
@ Charles J Buttigieg: Yours is the shortest and most relevant comment.
Reg Fitzpatrick
Mar 5th 2012, 19:18
As an objective outsider (Irish Resident) interested in Maltese politics, I find the antics of this man hilarious!
What a conceited egocentric he is! Does he believe he was appointed by God to save the Maltese nation?
Come on Franco! Everybody can see you for what you are - totally self-centred and puffed up with your own self-importance. The vast majority, irrespective of which political party, are very tired of your boring ramblings.
Its time you disappeared off the scene and stopped distracting the real adult politians and allowed them to get on with running the country!
As for giving him one of the jobs he covets, who in their right mind would appoint him to anything or trust him? Ignore him Mr Gonzi and Mr Muscat and eventually he will go away and play elsewhere!
Joe Scerri
Mar 5th 2012, 19:16
1st me, 2nd me, 3rd me and if there is anything left, me as well.
Alfred Falzon
Mar 5th 2012, 18:41
Is this the type of compromise that Dr Gonzi was supposed to be seeking?
Squeezing Dr Franco Debono like a juicy lemon and then leaving him in the lurch for someone else to do the job of a rapprochement with the people in spite of his proven zealousness and eagerness to raise the PN from its present downgrading?
It sounds more like musical chairs, going round and round, ad infinitum...a never-ending story by the look of things!
That's not what the floating voter, still very much at odds with the present set-up of our political Parties, was expecting from "a man of compromise"!
I, for one, who owes allegiance to no party, but to the NATION, feel deeply disappointed!
Alfred A. Falzon
Tony Busuttil
Mar 5th 2012, 18:32
Dear Franco, I think that your party should be greatfull because you managed to shake them up. But your service is no longer required by GONZIPN. They know surely that you dont have the guts to vote against GONZIPN. and till next election they will humilate you more and more
maria aquilina
Mar 5th 2012, 18:18
Dear Franco,You are an intelligent person.Can't you see that your services are not required by your party. You lost your chance when you came to vote.Your political career is over.I am very sorry for you.You did not play your cards well.
Henry S Pace
Mar 5th 2012, 17:42
' Debono: I should be special delegate '
Who knows what he would say he want to be next time round.
Maybe he says that he wans to be ????????????????
John Borg
Mar 5th 2012, 17:34
Franco Debono is at it again. He wants his five minutes of fame again. Does he realise that Dr Gonzi has virtually the full support of delegates? Why does he think he is above the rest? Could it be the form 2 results syndrome kicking in again? Just shut up and help us forget about the uncertainty you caused because of your over inflated ego Dr Debono. Let those who are able to govern to continue leading us through thick and thin.
Carmel Camilleri
Mar 5th 2012, 17:16
There is only one honourable way for Franco. Just resign. He cannot go on dictating what the party says and does. He can only do so when and if he replaces DR.Gonzi as party leader.. But forming part of a party while at the same time criticising it continuously makes no sense. Franco should understand that the PM has no confidence in him and he should accept that as a fact.
.
Mr Kevin Zammit
Mar 5th 2012, 17:07
I think Franco fouled here because the mistake was made by SB. If now we the floaters do not see any real changes i.e. the good old long story and spin ala Gonz while the ship sinks (enemalta bomb for example, airmalta etc) Who will be blamed? SB!! of course now Gonz will go down in PN history looking no worse and no better.
All Franco has to do now is keep his trap shut
michael scicluna
Mar 5th 2012, 17:01
franco you lost your chance at being taken seroiusly.
Sebastian Hawks
Mar 5th 2012, 16:07
The only reason for this relative peace is because everyone is walking on eggshells around the narcissist at the center.
Neville Debattista
Mar 5th 2012, 16:06
@Franco Debono. Do you really want to know what the people are saying? ........ ' Kif qazziistna ' . That is what the people are saying dear sir.
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Mar 5th 2012, 16:00
Does not Franco Debono realize that he is being manipulated by the media in reporting him in such a manner as to appear as being a ‘maverick’ when in actual fact he is being shown to be as an immature person full of himself?
Franco, it is time to open your eyes and not to let anyone continue pulling your legs!
Don’t throw your political future away, (of course if you are still interested)!
JC.
Alfred Hili
Mar 5th 2012, 15:04
I have no doubt that Dr. F. Debono is a reformer, ready to suffer for what he believes in. But I'm afraid that he will end up like all idealists mentioned in history; on a cross, respected but never forgotten.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Mar 5th 2012, 14:27
I, I myself, the great and unique achiever, should have been the special delegate chosen by a Prime Minster under whom I have vociferously boasted that I would never serve!
Something very wrong, there!
Joseph Portelli
Mar 5th 2012, 14:21
Insejna meta Charlie Mangion ftit qabel l-ahhar elezzjoni waqt mass meeting qal: IN-NAZZJONALISTI GHANDHOM XI HAGA HAZINA FID-DNA TAGHHOM! U din giet minn deputy leader tal-partit u waqt mass meeting!
A. Xuereb
Mar 6th 2012, 14:37
Tara u tisma dawk il kummiedji kollha min certu esponenti tal pn tghid li kellu ragun hux! pero qatt ma qal: nixtieqhom mejta jew li se jhallsu lil haddiema pn inqas mill dawk laburisti.thallatx il hass mall *ass. hawn qed niddiskutu x qed jghid Franco fuq il partit tieghu stess. Kif kienet tghidilna t-teacher tal-iskola Stick to the subject.
m. borg (slm)
Mar 5th 2012, 14:17
Still wallowing in his disillusion.
A man who can't walk the talk is good for nothing. If you really want to stop the damage gonziPN is doing to the nationalist group and you are against hate mongering as preached by a couple of gonzipn wannabees. not least the PM's niece herself, you know what you have to do.
You already missed the chance when there was a vote, the only option left, as voting bills seem to be scarce now adays, simply walk the walk and be an independet, a man.
Philip Hili
Mar 5th 2012, 14:09
Kemm ser naraw minn dawn il-buffunati sa l-ahhar tal-legislatura?
pat muscat
Mar 5th 2012, 13:57
Dr Debono, you like many other ordinary people do not 'belong' to the 'family'; this is what GonziPN has in mind when it promotes 'family' values as often as it promotes 'family' members!
Joseph Agius
Mar 5th 2012, 13:51
and I should be Brad Pitt.
joseph saliba
Mar 5th 2012, 13:35
Why should we call earlier elections or submit a confidence vote nipping such a super-transparent dialogue. A dialogue reflecting the courage of a great party made of great men. I find nothing unstable 'except, maybe, the elections' date and the future of some members of the party/gov. Must confess sometimes it is a bit embarrassing having to swallow the truth. But 'Is-sewwa jirbah zgur' forever.
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Mar 5th 2012, 13:27
“Many people are not feeling appreciated by the party,” he said, adding that the less conservative wing was the one that attracted floaters. Dr Debono stressed that he had never criticised the government before the 2009 MEP election, which the PN lost by a landslide". I am a victim of a bad political system - Dr. Franco Debono.
Habib naqbel mieghek 100%, ghax tidher li ghadek mhux wiehed minn dawk tal-qalba fil-PN.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
anthony cassar
Mar 5th 2012, 13:27
We need more Francos. Men with true grit. The dog that barks alarms you and we will not know what happens to the horse if taken into the stables.
mary mifsud
Mar 5th 2012, 13:27
@Charles Buttigig:
Vera li qed jghamel ghalih ghax rema karriera politika u spicca bil police security wara l bieb. Vera gharef int Sur Buttigieg!
Joseph Calleja
Mar 5th 2012, 13:22
Dr Franco Debono, I respect you a lot and I think you have a lot of guts to stand up against GonziPN. FD you had the ball in your court twice, and both times you abstained. You could have fixed whatever is wrong with GonziPN but you did not because you decided to abstain, and to be honest, I am not sure if you really intended to abstain but you gave Dr Gonzi all the edge he needed. And why does Dr Gonzi, do any special favours for you after you managed to embarrass him so much in the political theatre? Dr Franco Debono, I don't know if you read any of these headlines and comments online, but I suggest that you make up your mind and next time, if there is a next time, please don't abstain from voting. Be a man and vote Yes or NO but definitely DO NOT abstain. You seem to be playing in the hands of both parties and unfortunately you are being used and abused by both. I thought you are smarter than that. You yourself said, you are not treated well by GonziPN, so what are you waiting for? It is time to stop playing these political games and act.
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Mar 5th 2012, 13:21
“I can tell him (Dr Gonzi) what the people are saying. I have been saying so for ages. If he is going to start respecting the people he should start by respecting those who represent them: MPs.”
Trid tkun aktar habib tal-qalba ta' GONZIPN Dr. Debono , u tkun dak li twassal informazzjoni ta' aktar valur morali fuq 'l hbieb tal-hbieb. Hekk ha jibqa' sejjjer GONZIPN jahdem biss bil-hbieb tal-hbieb habib.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Angus Black
Mar 5th 2012, 14:54
Sour grapes, one more time, Manwel?
What? Do you have this comment saved, so you don't have to think something new each time you decide to groan?
You sound like a pair of rusty hinges on a medieval door being opened again after two hundred years.
John Zammit
Mar 5th 2012, 13:15
What's the use having 96%or how much it was from the councillors then you have no majority in parliament.Everst Bartolo was right when he mentioned other nation's leaders and the % they Got.A parliamentary majority is needed
Mario P. Sciberras
Mar 5th 2012, 13:11
What's wrong with this man?
Dr Debono stressed that he had never criticised the government before the 2009 MEP election, which the PN lost by a landslide. Why not?
George Calleja
Mar 5th 2012, 12:50
Dan Franco Debono idahhaqni jew ibbikini. Jahseb li huma l-aqwa bniedem f'dal pajjiz. Imma meta kellu c-cans li jikkontesta ghal kap tal-PN ghamel bhal tigiega u ma kkontestax. Kellu cans ihoss il-polz tal-kunsillieri kollha. Nahseb se jghid li dawn il-kunsillieri huma kollha tal-'klikka' Ghandu 'phobia' ghal kull min ghandu kariga ghax iridha hu...ghax skond hu kollox hu issuggerixxa ! Veru bniedem eccentriku u fl-istess hin minghalih hu biss tajjeb. Missu jikkontesta lil Obama...ghax lil Putin mhux se jirnexxielu jwarrbu!! Jaqbad jikkritika lil kulhadd bla skrupli basta jippoppa sidru li hu s-soluzzjoni ta kollox!! Meta gie ghal prova, mbaghad, tilef il-krettu kollu.
Jack Attard
Mar 5th 2012, 12:46
Franco you don't seem to get it, they hate your guts. Get that in your head.
Karl Consiglio
Mar 5th 2012, 12:42
More like special needs I think
godwin difesa
Mar 5th 2012, 12:35
I think Franco is right in saying that he had put the PN on track.They should had been all the past 4 years
running on this track not the last few months.PN if they really want to be on track for the next election they should appoint Franco for the South of Malta as a special delegate as well what is wrong that there will be 2
special delegates at least Franco already can identify many needs for that part of Malta and as there is very short time he is the right person for that job.Hope the PM will listen my advice and consider it for the sack
of the south Malta and the PN.
Angus Black
Mar 5th 2012, 15:04
Indeed the PM should take your advice Mr Difesa and "appoint Franco for the South of Malta as a special delegate"
The PM should consider it "for the sake of the south Malta". That, he will accomplish very nicely indeed.
j brincat
Mar 5th 2012, 12:35
Who said the instability is gone?
Dr Franco is right.
Why wasn't he chosen when one considers that an MEP should concentrate of EU matters and not on domestic ones.
But it seems that Dr Simon is the anointed.
So EFA anointed Dr Gonzi and in turn Dr Gonzi has anointed Dr Simon.
The aspiring others have been left in the lurch!
(jb)
M Borg
Mar 5th 2012, 12:34
I want, I want, i want !!
When is it going to stop ??
K CASSAR
Mar 5th 2012, 12:32
I can see alot of hurt over here. In particular from those that think that Gonzi PN is God's gift to Malta (or their pockets). I think that Dr. Debono is doing a good job uncovering all this and he didn't even wait for the whistleblowers act that has been postponed for so long. Go on blowing your whistle Franco, but be sure that you play it to the end.
Edgar Azzopardi
Mar 5th 2012, 12:31
If this Franco Debono really,REALLY, wants the good of his country and , ironically the good of the PN, he should be the one to bring change much needed in the government of this country.
The PN needs to be re generated with new blood, the cliques we all know exist, needs to be disperesed and this country needs a new gvovernmnt .
If Franco Debono is not prepared to take the horse inside the stable he should really shut up, becuse his valid compalints will stop being ' valid' and will only sound like the whining of a spoilt brat.
Franco Debono, should choose if he wants to be remembered for bringing real change to both Malta and the PN, or for being a big mouthed diva. His choice!
godwin difesa
Mar 5th 2012, 13:13
Franco should not be remembered on the wrong side of the political history of Malta like you are suggesting .
He is going to be remembered for the next win of Gonzi PN because as he had just sad he had wakened PN from coma and put them again on track.Keep up Franco continue making pressure on PN so they do not go to sleep as soon you will stop from the constructive criticism keep them awake so they can act what the PM had started by being near the people mostly near the lower class of the people who are struggling to survive
all the bureaucracy we have in our laws many of them they are older than Franco.Stay smart Franco as i know you and never be on the wrong side of the political history.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Mar 5th 2012, 12:31
It is time to move on FD from the political scene. Do not expect any favours or appointmernts from the PN for the embarrassment and inconvenience you caused them . If you do not want to be seen as a Walter Mitty figure search for other opportunities and pastures anew where you can apply you energy starting with a clean slate.
Brian Gatt
Mar 5th 2012, 12:02
I Honestly think that if the PN really wants to listen to then Franco Debono would have been more appropriate. Me being a true Labourite I think for Labour Party it would have been better if Franco Debono remained in his place SILENT which would have let to a landslide PL victory come March. However now Franco with his attitude electrocuted the PN back to their political senses and now (altough somewhat late) they are aiming to become the people's party once again, with Simon Busutill at the Helm of this quest we will be faced with another huge hands shaking, baby kissing Publicity Campaign with little or no results
Me as a Maltese Citizen would have prefered Franco Debono to listen to my woes beacuse i would know that at least my concerns will be made known to the peopel concerened!!!!
A lot are saying the the PM has found the price of Franco Debono and that Franco Debono will be go back in the herd and be a good sheep.I dont think that Franco Debono can be bought, I m sure he will adhere to his party direction if he sees that the PN is doing amends for their wicked ways
if Not ......we will have the same old Charade in the parliament.
Anthony Mizzi
Mar 5th 2012, 11:58
A case of internal widespreading gonzipn...." francophobia" ?
Carmel Xuereb
Mar 5th 2012, 11:44
@ Dr. Debono:-
Dr. Debono in my opinion you are given a penalty kick as in a football match, you are the only player capable to take it so now do a service to your club (your beleives) either to take it and sore or abandon the the pitch and go back to the dressing room. It seems that the coach has no disire for you to be one of his chosen few. In other words he is treating you as a dressing room bootball. Now it is up to you to be remembered as either Dr. Debono who fought a battle alone and won the battle or a timid guy who in the face of the enemy he ran away and hid in the bushes.
mary mifsud
Mar 5th 2012, 11:43
@Charle Buttigieg:
Vera li qed jghamel ghalih ghax rema karriera politika u spicca bil police security wara l bieb!
Vera gharef int Sur Buttigieg!
mary mifsud
Mar 5th 2012, 11:43
@Charle Buttigieg:
Vera li qed jghamel ghalih ghax rema karriera politika u spicca bil police security wara l bieb!
Vera gharef int Sur Buttigieg!
Evarist Saliba
Mar 5th 2012, 11:34
HERE WE GO AGAIN.
Alfred Falzon
Mar 5th 2012, 15:26
Musical chairs, going round and round and round...!!
No end in sight!
Is this Dr Gonzi the man of compromise he once took pride in being?!
Alfred A. Falzon
Paul Sammut
Mar 5th 2012, 11:27
You may wish to note Hon Dr F Debono LLD that notwithstanding all the fuss you made in the past few weeks, (a) the Hon Transport Minister Dr A Gatt, who is a total loss, is still in his ministry running mess; (b) the other ministers whom you said did not deliver are still running their ministries; (c) others have been promoted while you said that they did not deliver !; (d) the Prime Minister whom you said you lost faith in him is still in place; (e) the unelected member who referred to you as 'bicca deputat' is still there; (f) the clique that you referred to is still in place; (g) the power station using heavy fuel oil is still running; (h) you have been appointed parliamentary assistant for the sole purpose to be humiliated by the PM and by a civil unelected servent; and (i) corruption is still being exposed and no one takes responsability; You have brought the country to a total stop since you decided to take inappropriate and unclear actions, causing the Government to postpone parliamentary sittings, ridiculing parliament. I believe that you are wise enough to know that your carreer within the PN party is finsihed. At least I hope you have realized this. The appiontment of Dr Simon has confirmed that the PM does not want you to be involved in anything within the Parliamentary Group. You have been humiliated several times and you still think that the PN door is open for you? No-- you are history to the PN and forget that you will be a part of the next team come the General Elections. So either you do what you promised to do or shut up and let us continue with our lives.
Jo Camm
Mar 5th 2012, 11:24
"Asked if he should have been chosen instead of Dr Busuttil" - so it is now obvious. Some are putting words in his mouth.
John Mifsud
Mar 5th 2012, 11:23
If I was Dr Lawrence Gonzi, I would never, ever appoint Dr Franco Debono anywhere, as it was Dr Debono who stated that he would work with everyone except with Dr Gonzi.
People, the media and the man/woman in the street are now fed up with Dr Debono's antics.
Not that Dr Debono is not a valid person and capable, but I believe that his political career is in the doldrums, if not zilch. Time will tell.
It seems that the PN is not interested in his services, apart by keeping him on board for political reasons.
A politician like Dr Simon Busuttil is definitely more trusted by the Party, and I believe that Dr Busuttil will soon climb the political ladder and be a part of the leadership in the not too distant future.
Antoine Vella
Mar 5th 2012, 11:20
GonziPN was a winning "trademark" in 2008 and whoever came up with the idea should be congratulated. Whether it is still suitable today is another matter but it certainly did not "turn out to be a mess".
Henry S Pace
Mar 5th 2012, 11:01
If you do not suppo rt the Government in Parliament, . How do you expect to appoint yourself as a 'Special Delegate to the PM ? Last week you attacked Cachia Caruana 'to mind his own business in Brussels this week you are attacking the appointment of the Nominated 'Special delegate to the PM.
WHAT NEXT is round the corner? Consistency is quire lacking.
Your Political sincerity is quite lacking.
michael scicluna
Mar 5th 2012, 10:58
kif tridu jaghmlek jekk int paroli biss ghandek franco. biss biss l fatt li ghamettejt li il gvern sallab l malta bil kontijiet minhabba l inefficenza fl enemalta u mhux minhabba l prezz taz zejt kien bizzejjed raguni biex twaqqa l gvern! Kellek ic cans u ma uzajtux. l klikek hemm ghadhom u ser jibqaw la hallejtu jzommom.
mhux ahjar toqghod kwiet issa.
carmelo agius
Mar 5th 2012, 10:58
a poker game that never ends...........no heart.......no guts.........
John Scerri
Mar 5th 2012, 10:55
I am just imagining what the political picture would look like had the majority of backbenchers behaved like Dr.Debono.
It would be better to pull up one's sleeves and dig in to help the team and it's captain to win the race against the recession and unemployment around .
Anyone...I mean anyone from any political field who is seeking personal success or fulfilment in this very turbulant economic environment is right out egoistic to say the least, and I am NOT pointing fingers at anyone .
This goes for ALL those in the political field any colour, any age, any one .
Jekk qed tpoggu is-success personali taghkom qabel il - bzonnijiet tal poplu ma jisthoqqilkomx tkunu rappresentanti tal poplu taht l-ebda bandiera .
George Azzopardi
Mar 5th 2012, 10:51
It's election time! Having heard parts of Dr.Gonzi's speech after the one man race, I couldn't help myself thinking over and over again how this person fails to realize that his time is up.
Dr.Gonzi is now admitting all his previous mistakes most of which PL has been mentioning all the time. It took Dr.F.Debono to wake him up just a bit early since otherwise he would have started this some months later! It's so clear after his speech how GonziPN failed to be close to the people and is trying to do that now during election period.
Albert Farrugia
Mar 5th 2012, 10:50
Dear Dr Debono. You have spoken enough. But you have failed to act. Therefore you are not credible any longer. Many people are still waiting for an explanation from you how is it that you voted in the PN "leadership election" when you yourself declared you do not form part of the PN any longer. You yourself on many occasions, rightly, pleaded that parliament needs to be respected and that government should be always answerable to parliament. Now you have the power to do something about this government. You can force an election. If you think the situation is so rotten, you have the power to stop this government. But you wont. Because, as we say in Maltese "kelb jinbah ma jigdimx"
Ramon Casha
Mar 5th 2012, 10:47
The job of the special delegate is not to listen to people, but to gain their vote for the party, hence the choice of person for that job.
Thomas C. Cassar
Mar 5th 2012, 10:44
Naqbel ma Franco, bix-xieraq kellu jkun hu flok Simon Busuttil ghax bis-sahha tieghu l-PN reggha gie f'sensih .... suppost!!
J. Scicluna
Mar 5th 2012, 10:40
Dear Dr Debono,
Just do whatever has to be done and vote your own Party out of power...it deserves no more and no less than a couple of terms in opposition to regenerate itself and to give the whole country a breathing space!
DAVID D. PACE
Mar 5th 2012, 15:26
well said and agreed 100%!!
Edward Zammit
Mar 5th 2012, 10:37
Dr Debono - unfortunately you are certainly not the right peson to be nominated instead of Dr Busuttil. The disgrunted people or organisations need to have a listening ear and be sure that thier complaints or comments are heard, arrive at the right place and acted upon if justified.
Whilst many of your arguments were genuine and an eye-opener to those above, your immature methods left over 90% of the Nationalist party supporters building a grudge against you (together with two or three other MP's) who abused of the one vote majority and instead of finding a solution within the party orgainisation sought to promote themselves as champions of the NP.
i feel that over these years, most of the Nationist MP's and canditates were left in the lurch, short of information especially about important issues or laws and you were right to feel that your efforts were not being recognised. However, I am sure that you understand that besides your lamentations there are many other issues that have to be tackled also by the Cabinet and Government and a list of priorities has to be made to ensure an overall progrees in Malta.
De Simon Busuttil is the right person for this initiative but you still have the chance to put yourself in line with the party organisation and keep on with your good work keeping in mind the other side of any action proposed by you.
Noel Cutajar
Mar 5th 2012, 10:34
I have been a victim of this culture of hatred for the last 25 years but nobody resigned. This year I will celebrate my 20th attempt to find a job under this administration...obviously it will be recorded as the 20th unsuccessful attempt. Names and attempts are recorded.
Mark. Galea
Mar 5th 2012, 10:33
maybe it is high time that FD joins JM
Richard Galea
Mar 5th 2012, 10:29
This 'Clique'....That meets in a 'Kamra mudlama'.......Is certainly not the work of God.......
The local freemasons are supposed to submit a yearly list of all their members to the AG.......But how about other organizations?....Such as the 'Opus Dei'?
Having a state within a state is evil.
James Dimech
Mar 5th 2012, 12:16
Franco... is that you ??
Mr J Xerri
Mar 5th 2012, 10:23
So near and yet so far. That's how one can describe the situation between Dr Gonzi and Dr Debono.
Nyal Xuereb
Mar 5th 2012, 10:07
Why not assist Dr. Busuttil? I'm sure its no simple task. Dr. Debono can reach others who Dr. Busuttil cannot.
A. Borg
Mar 5th 2012, 10:07
Probably because within the PN you're no longer trusted.
Willie Sammut
Mar 5th 2012, 10:00
I agree with Franco on this one. I will never help or vote for Simon Busutill.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Mar 5th 2012, 09:57
This man is only doing this for himself.
Mr Henry A. Grima
Mar 5th 2012, 11:15
Me, me, me!!
I want!
You owe me!
I'm the greatest, and best!
James Dimech
Mar 5th 2012, 09:56
Franco just go ahead and topple the government. Otherwise just get out of the way and let the country work. We are not interested in you diva antics.
TONY C. CUTAJAR
Mar 5th 2012, 11:13
The man reminds me of the famous Shakespearean quotation "The lady doth protest too much" in Hamlet. Like Queen Gertrude, this Franco objects so much that he loses all credibility. Besides, he's such a big head.
Victor Vella
Mar 5th 2012, 09:56
In fact Gonzi is encouraging the delegates at tal-Pieta` where he won the race while competing alone to erect a bust of Dr Debono with the words:He also rejected the label of “dissenter”, saying he had brought the party “out of the wilderness” and back on track.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Mar 5th 2012, 09:52
Dr Franco Debono has forfeited all claim for any appointment at the disposal of a Prime Minister under whose premiership he has refused to serve.
Alfred Falzon
Mar 5th 2012, 15:23
@ Francis Saliba MD
So is this the compromise Dr Lawrence Gonzi wanted to reach?
Squeeze Dr Franco Debono like a lemon and then jettison him away?!
I'm afraid it left a very bitter taste indeed on floating voters and those who are fed up watching musical chairs going round and round and round...!!!!
Alfred A. Falzon
Patrick Fenech
Mar 5th 2012, 09:49
@Debono
Just because you state the obvious doesn't make you the "galantom" that brought about change. Because were that to be the case then I can bring you a list of people running into the hundreds who knew that PN needed to reach out to the people. Should these also be appointed special delegates, ministers of justice, or whatever other post you may covet?
As for why Simon was appointed special delegate: does the PM really need to spell it out for you? Isn't it obvious?
The PM appointed someone who was capable, and who was already was at the helm of the organisation tasked with this process of change. I would have assumed that a man with your purported intellect would figure this out by himself.
Ms Maria Vella
Mar 5th 2012, 09:37
My God is he still at it?????????
Carmel Xuereb
Mar 5th 2012, 09:13
You truly know what you have to do, done a well known Labour Minister Guze Cassar told that:- jekk tidhaq bija jien inti tkun il-bahnan imma jekk nerga nhallik tidhaq bija l-bahnan inkun jien. And this sentence nerve escaped out of my mind and I'm always on the lookout. Give it some thought Dr. Debono.
Please choose the reason of your report below: