Members of Parliament should first be loyal to the Constitution, in line with their oath of office, and then to their party, Nationalist MP Franco Debono said yesterday.
Political parties are the most unregulated bodies under Maltese law
“It would be dangerous and undemocratic if any party acts as if it is greater than the Constitution. No one is greater than the party except the people. If the pretext of party loyalty serves ministers to ride roughshod over Parliament, whatever they do, then that is not the spirit of the Constitution,” the backbencher added.
He was reacting to comments from fellow party MPs who expressed their disappointment at how he was dealing with the public transport reform issue.
Dr Debono, who has been making repeated calls for urgent constitutional reforms, warned he might abstain in a forthcoming parliamentary vote on a Labour motion calling for Transport Minister Austin Gatt’s resignation, unless the minister shoulders political responsibility. No date has yet been set for the motion to be debated in Parliament.
He was contacted yesterday soon after Dr Gatt announced a major overhaul in the public transport routes, effectively going back to the way the routes were before Arriva came on board.
“The change of stance shows that party loyalty is very important, but it should not be misused as a pretext or a carte blanche allowing ministers to arrogantly steamroll over everyone, including Parliament, relying on blind support from backbenchers, who not only represent the electorate but must also face it again come election time. This is the spirit of the Constitution. Political parties are intended to enhance and operate within democracy, not bypass it,” he said.
One must keep in mind that to date, political parties are the most unregulated bodies under Maltese law, he said.
Dr Debono refused to comment on whether he would still abstain in the upcoming no-confidence vote in Dr Gatt. MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett also refused to declare their stand when contacted yesterday.
When asked whether his position was tenable if the Labour Party’s parliamentary motion calling for his resignation passes, Dr Gatt yesterday said: “It’s obvious, I will have to resign”.
Dr Debono said that while he respected those MPs who voiced their opinion, albeit anonymously, his declaration that he may abstain “was possibly a determining factor” which led to “a reality check” and, eventually, “a change of stance”.
“Whenever I spoke and took a stand... I was never anonymous. I had the courage to show my face and make my voice heard,” he added.
Reacting to comments saying he formed part of a political party comparable to a football team, Dr Debono said: “Yes, the Constitution consists of the rules of the democratic political game, within which individual teams – parties – operate. In a democracy, politicians’ loyalty is first and foremost towards the democratic game – the constitution – then the team, the party.”
“Team spirit and party loyalty are very important but they are eroded by arrogance. Arrogance is not just one of the greatest enemies of any political party, but also of democracy itself.”
He expressed hope that this episode results in acting as a catalyst for constitutional reforms, including strengthening parliament and democracy in general.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told The Sunday Times yesterday he interpreted what his MP said in light of people’s expectations on this “enormous” reform.
“The public transport issue is very important. So I understand people’s sentiments, including those of our own people, that this reform, which has been coming for a long number of years, is successful.
“I will continue to be committed and determined to ensure that this reform is successful. We are talking about the reform and not about one minister or another and I expect the opposition to be on board.”