There can be too much of a good thing, more than you need to make good of a situation. The massive Labour victory a year ago was one such event, both in terms of votes as well as in the parliamentary majority they yielded. I do not think the way the Prime Minister went about shaping the roles he gave to MPs helped matters.

He appointed a king-sized Cabinet, plus six parliamentary secretaries. Far more than what is necessary considering that Germany, for instance, makes do with 35 ministers. It was a mistake because the more he gave the more was expected. Those left out felt more sidelined than usual.

It was also a mistake because a governing party can do with a substantial backbench. Thereby it attracts internal criticism without risking voting defeats. One might say the Opposition criticises more than enough.

But that’s precisely it. The Opposition, all Oppositions, are always partisan and negative, the present one particularly so.

In contrast, criticism from within the ranks can be sincere and timely. It shows that the backbench is not made up of a team of bootlickers but contains individuals able and prepared to speak out when necessary, in the interest of the country and the government itself.

The PM’s multiple choice of government members elicited an open hostile reaction on swearing-in day, but all in all grumbling was restrained and revealed only in private conversation. Except now. Recently a government back­bencher, Marlene Farrugia, is showing unmistakable signs of unrest, breaking out at more than one opportunity.

Given the way I have always looked at the backbenches I find no harm in that, much less a threat. It conforms to my attitude towards internal criticism. Still there are limits and one has also to unravel the motivation.

Ms Farrugia cannot be upset that she was not given office. She achieved the feat of making it to Parliament together with her husband, like the Attard Bezzinas and the Sants years ago. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat revealed early on that only one of them could hold office. But the surprising early appearance of the lady MP at her husband’s ministerial side did suggest a craving for office, which is understandable in any MP but not usually expressed in such unique fashion.

A government backbencher is showing unmistakable signs of unrest, breaking out at more than one opportunity

That passed. Along came occasions where Ms Farrugia made understandable criticism, like the Individual Investment Programme. That also passed and she was proved right along with those of us who had criticised the anonymity factor, among other things. Now two other factors have come up which are less in the broad cuff of politics, so to put it.

The MP is expressing dis­agreement with the govern­ment stance in a House committee which she chairs. That is unusual. Committee chair­persons, other than that of the Public Accounts Committee, are normally ex­pected to be more in sync with the government. It is not the end of the world nor a great undermining of the Prime Minis­ter’s authority. But, still unusual.

The other factor is a personal opinion by the Hon. Farrugia. Her husband is the Minister for Health. Talk is going round that he might be moved to a different ministry in the forthcoming Cabinet reshuffle. Ms Farrugia has baldly stated that she does not think her husband should be shifted. Her view is understandable. But should an evidently personal situation be part of the political game, even if Ms Farrugia has said she will not be contesting again?

I am not by any means suggesting that the outspoken MP should be censored. May there be more of her ilk and hang those who say otherwise on the social media. But politics needs some recognisable parameters, even if these should be broadened all the time.

As for the Health Minister, I too do not agree he should be reshuffled. He has spent a year painstakingly learning the innards of the health sector. He knows what needs to be done. That must have the backing, wisdom and guts of the whole government. Even a new minister would need that backing. What Godfrey Farrugia, the present Health Minister, requires is more bite, more enforcement.

The Prime Minister can bring that about with better management of him and by giving him a strong parliamentary secretary, Chris Fearne or Deo Debattista, to implement decisions.

Health is too important an area, for the country and for the government, to allow for fresh experimentation.

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