It was certainly an eventful weekend for Joseph Muscat. He started it with a more comprehensive reshuffle than he could have contemplated 12 months ago (forcibly brought forward by Godfrey Farrugia’s resignation) and ended it with images of Nelson Mandela et al and a Mary Spiteri cringe-inducing moment to commemorate the misnomer that is Freedom Day.

First the reshuffle. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca had to depart from Cabinet to assume the presidency. In spite of her own declared reluctance, that much is plain sailing. Dr Muscat could have simply assigned or realigned someone to fill that role and left it at that.

Instead, he chose to go much further which indicates just how unprepared he was when he took over the country’s helm last year. There’s nothing wrong in learning or correcting perceived mistakes, and the reshuffle will certainly keep the Cabinet on its toes, but such actions are not without risk.

The former health minister was the biggest casualty. And his refusal to stay on the Prime Minister’s waiting list until the reshuffle was announced was a clear act of defiance. The photo they posed for arm-in-arm did neither of them any favours. It was a fake stunt that backfired, not least when seen against the real image of a deflated Dr Farrugia taking an arduously long walk to the car that was waiting for him with his partner, another Labour MP, at the wheel.

As if lumping health under the energy minister is not strange enough, the initial impression given that the parliamentary secretary responsible for it, Chris Fearne, would continue seeing patients at Mater Dei seemed to show that the Prime Minister had learnt nothing from the Franco Mercieca experience. What is effectively a ministerial role needs a full-time, dedicated occupant.

The government yesterday moved to recognise this reality, though it did not do the same to address the potential conflict of interest in giving Michael Falzon responsibility for the planning authority when he is the one drafting the fireworks factory development policy for Mepa.

However, if there is one promotion to be welcomed unconditionally, it is that of Owen Bonnici – who has proved to be a shining example of hard work, measured tone and thoughtful action. He still has a tough job ahead but now has more clout to see it through. Giving him the culture portfolio was also a smart move.

It is to be hoped that Dr Bonnici will exercise his new role with a better sense of judgement than that which totally abandoned Labour as it celebrated Freedom Day on Sunday. Let’s start from the beginning. The British forces leaving Malta was no day of freedom. For several reasons: One, colonised countries gain freedom upon independence, which was achieved in Malta in 1964.

Two, if Dom Mintoff can claim credit for one thing, it is that he persuaded the British to stay as long and pay so much for the privilege (ironically, it was the PN that had criticised this).

Three, what followed after the British forces left was the most un-free period in Malta’s contemporary history: political violence reigned while the controlled economy plunged.

Moving on is all important. But that cannot be achieved if the party in government uses juxtaposed images of international heroes to somehow try to create what never was.

All this does is foment negative sentiment and prevent the country from what it should be doing: which is looking forward, under a newish Cabinet.