The Times reported that "his [the PM's] purpose [wanting to involve Opposition MPs in aspects of Government] was to involve everyone in the running of the country, thus using the best brains in the interests of the country".

At first blush, this is a more than laudable aim, indeed it should be encouraged. Buzz, wrong answer, you are the weakest link, goodbye.

Dr Muscat's stated desire to "use the best brains" is ever so slightly tarnished by the evidence. Can he put his hand on his heart, look you in the eye, and say that Mr Pullicino Orlando, Mr Musumeci , Dr Franco Debono, Dr Anglu Farrugia and Mr John Bencini are the best brains for the positions to which he appointed them?

Remember, when you consider the answer to the foregoing question, the word "best" is specific: it is an adjective that means that the item it describes as "best" excludes all others, it is the non plus ultra.

So, ask yourself that question again, what is the answer? Clearly and unequivocally, the answer is "no", the PM can't say they are the best, because they are not.

This statement does not even take into account the manifest unsuitability on a personal basis of a number of them. It merely acknowledges that there are indubitably better qualified individuals who could have been appointed to the posts concerned.

So when Muscat says he wants the best brains, you have to bear these appointments, and quite a few others, and the way they were made, and in at least one case unmade, in mind.

In cheesy Westerns, the line "White Man speaks with forked tongue" would be apposite.

Consequently, the gambit, transparent as it is even without bearing in mind aforementioned forked tongue, has other facets to it. For instance, it will, if enough vainglorious takers on the Opposition side are found, serve to drive a wedge into an already troubled PN, perhaps giving a better foundation to Muscat's Second Republic (for all that it would actually be the Third or Fourth) aspirations.

Even without the dangerous Constitutional overtones, having an ineffectual Opposition because of rifts induced by this stunt would suit the PM fine, especially since on the evidence so far, his Government is tending towards classification as gaffe prone.

I mean, asking the Broadcasting Authority to resign, ignoring the Stock Exchange, firing people in breach of the Constitution and that WAG incident in the Ministry of Health are examples that spring to mind of which the PM would rather not have the Opposition remind him, I'm sure.

But let's be charitable: maybe Muscat wants the Opposition to do the job of governing, rather on the lines that he adopted when in Opposition, having Government members do the job for him.