Whatever happens in Parliament tomorrow does not really matter in the global scheme of things: from this perspective it will just put an end to any speculation that the election can be held on a date beyond March 9, which was highly improbable in any case.

It will, of course, matter a great deal in a more practical respect. Should the Budget – which the majority of people accept is sound – not make it through Parliament, a whole host of measures will not come into effect when they should.

This includes the cost-of-living increase for those on the Government payroll; this includes children’s allowance increases as well as an income tax cut in the top rate, which may encourage people with more disposable income to spend more in our economy.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, in arguing that economic well-being should not be sacrificed for political gain, put it better than most, saying: “If the economy goes down, the whole country suffers. If the economy goes down, the first casualty will be those who will lose their jobs…

“Leaving the country without a Budget for reasons that have nothing to do with the Budget itself is the height of irresponsibility.”

One could say that once the Labour Party has decided to implement the “positive” Budget measures if it is returned to power next year, then it should vote in favour, given the timing of the election is likely to remain unaffected – for the sake of stability.

However, but for the apparent inconsistency of voting against something it has pledged to adopt, there are two factors militating against this approach: one, no Opposition party in Malta has ever voted in favour of a Budget; and more importantly, the Prime Minister has not made any attempt that we are aware of to foster the conditions in which Labour might consider doing this.

The Prime Minister may, for example, have tried to reach agreement with the PL on the basis of a commitment to a specific election date; or he may have made a public commitment to hold a vote of confidence in the Government immediately after the Budget vote.

Lawrence Gonzi has chosen to do neither, and while the country may have benefitted from another approach, he cannot bear the brunt of the blame for not doing so.

Given that practically every Nationalist MP (with a known exception) together with Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando will vote in favour of the Budget, the onus now falls on the rebel MP who has said he will vote against.

Perhaps for the first time in his parliamentary career, albeit brief since it is already about to come to an end, this rebel MP will discover that with power – even when it is abused – comes responsibility.

Responsibility not only for one’s errors – though it is worth remembering the old adage that the only people who do not make mistakes are those who do not take decisions – but also for one’s conduct towards one’s country.

For better or worse (we have consistently argued the election should have been held this year), the Prime Minister has reached his target – which was to present a Budget. He has practically served a full term and has for all intents and purposes discharged his responsibility.

That, along with all the repercussions, is now on somebody else’s shoulders; well, for tomorrow at least. Which is a refreshing change, as the MP finally faces the moment of truth. It is time for the rest of us to move on.

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