Dangerous brand of politics
Today, I travel to Luxembourg to attend what is now a customary meeting that takes place between a select number of MEPs and ministers from my political family, the EPP, in preparation for the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Justice and Home Affairs that takes place this week.
A conspicuous absence at this evening’s meeting will be Carm Mifsud Bonnici whom I have personally seen in action during these pre-Council meetings over the past years. It is a pity that his chair would remain empty at a time when the issue of immigration is back on the agenda.
Which leads me to reflect on the bizarre situation that emerged from last week’s vote in Parliament that cost Carm his ministerial job.
Let me be clear from the start. There is nothing wrong with a minister being held to account in Parliament or even made to resign. Quite the contrary. This is normal practice in a democracy. But, as I see it, what happened last week raised more concerns about the opposition than it did about Carm.
As The Sunday Times leader aptly put it last weekend, “nobody with a shred of intelligence believes for one minute that he (Carm) was voted out of office because of his performance as minister. This was a first class case of political opportunism”.
So here we had the opposition pushing a vote of no confidence in a minister for no apparent reason except that it could muster a majority to do it.
The opposition exploited the weakness in our political system – the tenuous one-seat-majority, which is pretty much the norm in Malta – and forced out a minister simply because it had the numbers.
Last week, it was Carm. But it could easily have been someone else. It is akin to a witch-hunt.
If the opposition can get the numbers to wield its power against you, it will do it. It does not matter if you deserve it or not. That is irrelevant. You will be out simply because the opposition can do it. It is scary and it fails the test of reason.
It reminds me of McCarthyism in the United States, in the early 1950s, when a witch-hunt against communists turned ugly with thousands of people being accused for no apparent reason of being communists. If we don’t like you, you’re a communist and you’re doomed. Your career is over.
Inspired by the unfairness of it all, Arthur Miller wrote the celebrated play, The Crucible, a story set in 17th century America where a witch-hunt was unleashed on the settlers of Salem. Religious extremism mixed fatally with opportunism and quickly sparked a witch-hunt against anyone who could be accused of witchcraft. As a result, innocent people ended up being sent to the gallows without as much as a shred of evidence. And faced with accusations, suspects were given the illogical choice between admitting guilt to be set free or be hanged if they proclaimed their innocence.
That’s right. You are set free if you admit guilt and you are hanged if you are innocent. There is no logic in it.
Of course, John Proctor, the hero of the play, ended up defending his innocence. And he was hanged for it.
In 21st century Malta, thanks to the Labour Party, we are facing a new witch-hunt. If the opposition can muster a majority against you, you are doomed. Whether you are guilty or not is irrelevant.
And I repeat. It is true that the opposition acted freely and relied on a vote from the government benches. It is true that its freedom must be respected – as it was – because these are the rules of parliamentary democracy. And it is also true, as Ugo Mifsud Bonnici so disarmingly put it, that this is the price of freedom.
But it is populist and demagogic. And, most importantly, it is just not right.
This is not the way to do politics. This is a dangerous new brand of politics.
And if the Labour Party (that calls itself moderate) can use its power so ruthlessly when still in opposition, how on earth will it wield power if it is elected to office and command unfettered authority?
I leave that question to you.
But there is one silver lining. The Labour Party has now confirmed beyond any doubt that behind its youthful leader and his blue ties and behind its new logo and new slogans on moderation, there is little that is moderate about it. And its skeletons from old are out of the cupboard.
If I can see this, so can floating voters and conscientious Labour voters. And so can disgruntled Nationalists.
simon.busuttil@europarl.europa.eu
Dr Busuttil is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.
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Johnny Xerri
Jun 9th 2012, 15:39
Dear Simon Busuttil,
Look who is speaking of witch hunt...of opportunisim...were it not you who promised us hunters heaven on earth...and then we got hell on earth?
Look who is speaking of opportunism...
If I had a say...I would vote all PN out...seems that I have to wait...a few days...a few months...at most a year...
You may have stolen my vote once...but not ever again in the future...I would rather have a dictator regime akin or worst than Gaddafi's regime...than vote for PN who stole my vote.
Carmel J. Caruana
Jun 7th 2012, 20:35
Simon Busuttil is turning to be another disappointment for the intelligent floating voter.
m. borg (slm)
Jun 7th 2012, 18:31
Simon don't you have anything more important to write about, Carm's seat should be filled by your boss himself now that he took his ministry under his wing.
But then he can't say much about can he?
Mr Albert Dimech
Jun 7th 2012, 09:41
If we needed a reason why someone had to shoulder responsibility for the many short comings in CMB's ministries, what happened in the Gozo law courts yesterday is one. A hollywood scene, an almost killing in the court room and a lawyer risking his life doing his job. If this is not serious enough, what is? Dr Busuttil finds plenty of time to scaremonger, he'd better do something concrete to address the immigration issue.
Jonathan Camilleri
Jun 6th 2012, 22:00
My favourite description of Malta is that by Lord Byron on visiting the country: " Malta...the country of Smells, Yells and Bells" I would add my own : "The mentality keywords of Maltese.... Egoism, Ignorance, Incompetence and I don't care
Yes, you may see lots of sunny beaches and wonderful landscapes in Malta, but to give an example, what does it count that you have a state of art work place, but the management is awful and corrupt."
Sourced from http://www.marz-kreations.com/Diary/F/whm01.html.
Eddy Privitera
Jun 6th 2012, 18:56
Simon B Usuttil: MHUX AHJAR TIKTEB DWAR IL-KWISTJONI TAT-THEDDIDA TAL-UE GHAS-SERVIZZI FINANZJARJI - DI l-UE LI INT WIEHED MIL-AQWA DIXXIPOLI TAGHHA. U LI PINNGEJTILNA QISHA L-GENNA TAL- ART ?????
Victor Laiviera
Jun 6th 2012, 17:44
All those who are defending Dr Mifsud Bonnici at all costs should remember this.
It was during on his watch that the right of an accused person to legal assistance during interrogation was delayed and delayed. As direct result, several convicted criminals had to be released. And there are many more cases which could go that way.
For that alone, he deserved to be censured and asked to resign.
For some reason, Lawrence Gonzi did not feel he had to defend him a all costs, as he defended the Minister responsible for the loss of EU scholarship funds, or the Minister who admitted, in Parliament of all places, that he paid his domestic help without VAT and without NI contributions.
GL Calleja
Jun 6th 2012, 17:43
Dr Busuttil I have to agree that the ousting of CMB was nothing but a witch hunt. They could have ousted Austin Gatt but they did not. The primary accuser was not interested in Austin Gatt's job, he was more interested in CMB's job. Carmel Mifsud Bonnici is not a perfect man, neither are any of us but I do think that thanks to Franco Debono the PL found the opportunity and they jumped on it, that is politics. But I still do not like it when one of your own turns against you, NO MATTER WHAT. Selling your fellow politician is very shallow and it is not the way to go. I know I have no right to bring religion into this but I think that Franco Debono ousted CMB for thirty pieces of silver. He wanted CMB's job so bad, that he sacrificed his political brother for personal gain. I can see where the opposition would try to oust another politician from the opposition, but FD was on the same team of the PN and you never, NEVER betray a fellow politician. He should have left that chore to the opposition. I always considered Franco Debono as a very smart man but after this I am not so sure. Not because he vigorously went after CMB but because he went after a fellow politician from his own party. That to me is a huge mistake because in my eyes, and this is my opinion, he sold his soul to the PL and the PL took full advantage of the situation. I wish there was a way to recall CMB but that is not going to happen.. But we always reap what we sow. And as the saying goes, "what goes round comes around". I just hope that Franco Debono can live with what he did.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jun 6th 2012, 15:34
I thought Dr Gonzi replaced CMB as Home Affairs Minister. looks like a bad move as someone has already pointed out. And what about Dr Said - is he not Minister of Jusrtice - why is he not attending this so important meeting?
Francis Sammut
Jun 6th 2012, 15:25
'Let me be clear from the start. There is nothing wrong with the minister being held to account in Parliament or even made to resign'. Oh yeah? And pray, when was the first time or indeed ever that that was ever carried-out? Last time a move was put forward to oust a minister was when the Speaker came to Dr. Gatt's rescue. So what accountability and resignation are you talking about? Let's be sincere and clear on this, shall we? Labour has done it the PN has done before. They all do it when the occasion arises so what's new? And about the statement that Dr. C. Misud Bonnici was voted out not because he wasn't doing his job properly but because of ulterior motives, well, I'm not so sure about that. The facts say otherwise.
maria grech ganado
Jun 6th 2012, 13:08
I find all this so sad. That Carm is a good man, I know. I know him personally and we are related. However, I also know that the situation in so many of our institutions is certainly NOT ideal and needs addressing vigourously - and not necessarily in any of the ways adopted by either party sive party. This loyalty to parties rather than the country is becoming more and more oppressive, as if good belonged exclusively to one rather than the other, and there were not good men, or capable men in both! It is so obvious now that the polarisation which has made Malta a victim of political tension and hatred, the greed for status, power and money which has succeded WW2 is gnawing at our innards - and I for one am weary of politics and politicans and just wish we could get on and change things as soon as possible for the sake of PEACE and compassion. We are persons, not cogs in the party machine, and all this grim political competition is not doing any of us any good, no matter how we try to adjust our perspectives. Personally, I think more than 10 years in government, whether it is blue or red government, is excessive - and for this reason, and only as a political analyst and caring Maltese citizen, certainly NOT as a member of any one party, other or another, I hope AD will return a member to parliament at the next elections in order to break this painful deadlock. We all have a right to an opinion. Why rage about it? It's effected even me at this stage, and I am saddest about that!!!
Mary Mills
Jun 6th 2012, 12:26
"Today I travel to Luxembourg to what is now a customery meeting...." the hollow, expensive, plush- hot- air-walk-on-velvet carpet talk, soit an MEP's sense of self-importance when the millions of work-a-day Europeans (not to mention the unemployed millions) simply know that, as far as they're concerned, MEP's represent barely anybody else but themselves!
And the expense of all this travel...? MEP's travel and accommodation expenses already run into millions as it is; and there doesn't appear to be a stipulated amount that MEP's are allowed to spend on their, sometimes, mickey-mouse 'fact finding missions, so-called (on taxpayers' money); the amount varies; some MEP's expenses' claims diverge by several thousand euros more than what's claimed by other MEP's.
Incidentally, Mr Busuttil, some readers would want to ask: "What exactly are you nipping off to Luxembourg for? Specifically? We'll like you better, you know, if you try telling, explaining, rather than be sweet, condescending...
charles v schembri
Jun 6th 2012, 12:13
As rightly put forward by Dr Busuttil indeed it is only legitimate for people in high positions to be held accountable. What remains in discussion would be the measures used by promoters for transparent accountability. But the legalistic legitimate tools used by the PL in respect of the Minister for Home Affairs (and Justice) are nothing new to the present party predecessor the MLP.
When did a MLP and more recently PL ever accommodate such liberals, reformers, rebels dissidents the like of Dr Franco Debono within its folds? Unfortunately never! Of very recent date one would only recall an MP that changed its initial position on divorce. Of more recent date again one would only recall another seasoned MP withdrawing partially whatever he had said on TV.
Today’s PN leader survived the day for himself and the party through his high and humane acumen, at times ending on the receiving end and suffering for positions taken; his main characteristics being patience, perseverance, trust and belief in the good faith of people.
The Franco Debono’s saga reminds me more of the infamous “franco tiratori” in Italian governments of decades back that at their own whim brought down governments. The reasons may have been various like feeling sidelined by their own coalition parties in government; and at other times encouraged by parties in opposition.
Perhaps personally Franco Debono cannot wait for his time to come and insisted on a reasonably valid agenda albeit at the cost of a valid person. Most would be certain that a professed nationalist like Dr Debono, would indeed in years to come look back with certain concern on his approach. But people, believing to be acting in good faith even if blinded by personal agendas and in disregard to the impact on the surroundings, only have to recall that in history, in life, in political history a good number of high flyers and, at that, reputable people have been sidelined. A typical example that one would recall was no one else but Aldo Moro who had been sidelined and almost abandoned during one particular DC congress in the sixties. Only for him to resurface and again reiterate his firm belief in the famous “convergenze parallele”.
This recent episode should be kept close to the heart. Strengths and weakness, successes and failures render one wiser.
P.S An unfortunate comment to a certain Mr Privitera. It is sad to resign to a situation that makes one recognise that such like would indeed merit a labour party in its current guise in government. What however is encouraging is the fact that fortunately the electorate in its majority is composed of mature folks who freely and openly can decide by themselves what is best for them even when times may not be all that rosy. This large majority is no longer that mass core base that just follows orders as used to be the case prior 1981.
No wonder one realises that certain comments not only by certain bloggers but by party in government aspirants are nothing else but a transparent outward manifestation that the heat is getting red under their collar.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jun 6th 2012, 15:38
I think the biggest manifestation of the heat being on, was Dr Gonzi's closing speech on the confidence motion on Monday - totally hsyerical, not one reply to the Oppositiions charges - just shouting about things that happened 30 years ago shows that he nothing to say about today.
Eddy Privitera
Jun 6th 2012, 10:48
Simon, tell us then about the " new way of doing politics " practised by the one who annointed you as his agent to organize meetings with civil-society. Such as giving himself and his ministers € 500 a week rise. Or promising to continue to subsidize the electricity bills, but then do the exact opposite on being elected ! Or spending so many millions on un-needed and unwanted projects as the new parliament, the "topless" theatre and the bridge to nowhere. As well as City Gate WITH NO GATE AT ALL !!!
Perhaps you can also illuminate the Maltese people about the EU?s insistence on GonziPN to keep raising the retirement age in step with life-expectancy !!! You and your MIC had said that the EU does not interfere on pensions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eddy Privitera
Jun 6th 2012, 10:37
Ask your GonziPN colleague, Dr. Franco Debono, once you do not believe what PL MPs say about Dr. CMB's performance as minister of Justice and Internal affairs !
But today, Simon, you should be telling us why we are now in all this mess named EU & EURO !!!!!!!!
Tommy Vella
Jun 6th 2012, 11:32
Much better being in what you call this mess named EU and EURO with all its blemishes than living under labour in 1981-87 with all the deficiencies (democratic, educational, economic, etc) we had to go through.
Once I challenged you to tell me whether you prefer going back to those years. You never answered.
J. Borg
Jun 6th 2012, 13:29
@ Tommy Vella
Another person living in the past........
Tommy Vella
Jun 6th 2012, 17:05
@ J. Borg
The past is the present with some PL MPs from those days still very active in the party.
Tommy Vella
Jun 6th 2012, 17:13
@ J. Borg
Not only am I not living in the past but I am stating clearly that I DO NOT WANT EVER to live again that kind of past. That is the gist of my argument.
Eddy Privitera
Jun 6th 2012, 19:10
Yes I would willingly return to those days when Malta had HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF LIRI in its coffers, instead of €5,500 million national debt ! When pensioners started to help their children instead of the present opposite ! When the husband could support the family and the wife only went out to work IF SHE WANTED not FORCED as today because one salary is not enough to keep a family ! And so many other things.
But I would prefer to have Dr. Joseph Muscat as prime minister as I know he wouldn't commit the mistakes which were committed by Dom Mintoff when he failed to control a relatively few thugs who harmed the labour government so much ! Still even WORSE was committed under Dr. EFA's premiership, when instead of breaking up some furniture in the Curia etc.. Labourites LIVES were broken by vindictive political psychological violence of the worst type. I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THEM. AND HAVE A COURT SENTENCE TO PROVE IT !!!
Tommy Vella
Jun 7th 2012, 19:42
Mr Privitera you did not answer well. Either you prefer those times or you don’t. You said you prefer those times, so JM does not come into the equation, because the supremo then was Mr. Mintoff. If you prefer those times then it means that you prefer Mr. Mintoff.
Now let me burst your bubbles one by one
Malta had HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF LIRI in its coffers, instead of €5,500 million national debt !
This means that you prefer having a lousy second hand communications system, no water in the tap, restriction on what type of chocolate, toothpaste, pasta, tuna tin, (you name it) you can buy, having a university that caters for a few hundred instead of for thousands of students, a power station functioning only on coal, a very small airport unadapt for the number of tourists … need I go on? A vote for that money in the kitty means a vote for all those incommodities.
When pensioners started to help their children instead of the present opposite !
I am a pensioner and have no income except my pension and a little interest on money that I was able to save these last 25 years. I do not need any help from my children, I can get by quite well thank you.
When the husband could support the family and the wife only went out to work IF SHE WANTED not FORCED as today because one salary is not enough to keep a family !
I know of many wives who work not because they need to but because they want to continue their careers or so as not to waste the time they spent at university getting a degree.
john cassar
Jun 6th 2012, 09:08
well said simon
Rita Smith
Jun 6th 2012, 09:20
An honest article
R. Smith
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