Recent history will statistically record an even score.  Just as the late Dom Mintoff brought down Alfred Sant’s Government in 1998, so has Franco Debono now done to Lawrence Gonzi’s Administration. That’s where the comparison begins and ends.

A closer look reveals some marked contrasts. Mintoff’s action signalled the end of Sant’s ‘frozen’ performance in his 22-month term in office, and heralded the beginning of better times under Eddie Fenech Adami as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms.

As an EU member state, the country prospered in its newly-found direction and enhanced international status. And, in the light of adverse external economic conditions and internal party squabbles, Gonzi’s performance in this five-year term is all the more creditable.

Some players do have the will and the ability to do Malta proud.  Debono’s action quite obviously has the hallmark of a consolation goal for the striker himself – and for the wrong side.

Meanwhile, most of the injured quietly nurse their bruises while some others, oblivious of their own misfortune, childishly rub their hands in glee as they labour under the illusion that their side has scored the winning goal.

Quite tragic, though, as the national interest is not a football match. Without an approved Budget for 2013, the national good is the loser. With elections due anyway, plain commonsense would have dictated that a parliamentary majority safeguard the country’s economic and financial stability.

Who knows?  Maybe, by March 9, I will have come to understand the warped logic of the Opposition’s windscreen-wiper politics in their anti-Budget stance. The odds are that I won’t.

May I take this opportunity to wish a very happy Christmas and New Year to my fellow countrymen, irrespective of which side of the political fence they may happen to be at this stage.