Members of Parliament who resign from their party and their parliamentary group but decide to retain their parliamentary seat often claim that they are doing this out of respect for those who voted for them, particularly those who gave them first preference over other candidates on the ballot paper of the same party.

Such a claim can only be valid on one condition. That during the electoral campaign they would have informed their constituents in writing, through their electoral propaganda literature, that if they were ever to disagree strongly with any legislation passed or decision taken by their party in government they would seriously consider resigning from the party and parliamentary group but would still hold on to their parliamentary seat in order to continue representing their constituents as independent MPs.

If such information is not given to voters before a general election, no MP who resigns from the party should hold on to his or her parliamentary seat since they have been elected solely because they contested on their party’s ticket. Marlene Farrugia often speaks about transparency.

Had she informed her constituents in writing that she would seriously consider resigning from the PL and thus from the PL’s parliamentary group if she was ever to disagree strongly with any legislation or decision? If she had – and can prove it – then she is within her moral rights to hold on to her seat.

If she hadn’t, then she has no moral right to remain an MP. For transparency’s sake.