Labour MP Adrian Vassallo has formally announced his departure from politics after repeatedly saying he no longer felt comfortable in his party.
I have therefore arrived at the conclusion that I am more of an embarrassment to the party than an asset
“Being rather conservative I no longer feel I have a place in the PL,” Dr Vassallo said in a heartfelt, handwritten letter he sent to various newspapers.
Dr Vassallo said he expressed his intentions to party leader Joseph Muscat more than two weeks ago but had not yet received a direct reply.
“I have therefore arrived at the conclusion that I am more of an embarrassment to the party than an asset,” Dr Vassallo said.
As he pointed out in his letter, Dr Vassallo, a medical doctor from Ta’ Xbiex, has been elected “quite comfortably” in four consecutive elections.
“[But] the party doesn’t consider me to be as moderate or progressive as the leadership wishes. I have therefore decided to retire from politics and dedicate more time to my family, hobbies and pastimes.”
Asked why Dr Muscat never replied to Dr Vassallo’s letter, a party spokesman said: “Dr Vassallo has said numerous times that he does not want to contest the next general elections despite being urged to do otherwise.”
The spokesman said Dr Vassallo informed Dr Muscat that he would be informing the media about his decision.
“In Parliament, Dr Vassallo has consistently acted in conformity to the mandate he was given,” the spokesman said, when asked how his decision would manifest itself in Parliament.
Dr Vassallo was the only Labour MP to stay away from Parliament during the divorce vote, when all MPs were given a free vote on the matter. He even supported Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for voting contrary to the referendum result, despite his party’s strong criticism of Dr Gonzi.
He had then criticised his party for becoming a movement open to everyone, including turncoats, instead of being a political party that stuck to its principles.
Dr Vassallo had once famously said he would rather live in Iran and join street riots to defend his religion than live in a place where faith was ridiculed.He was talking about pornography being allowed in hotels and on television.
The MP has the worst record of parliamentary attendance.