The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Michael Frendo yesterday appealed to the political parties to work together to reactivate the “abandoned” parliamentary committee that was vital for the country’s democracy.

“It is truly lamentable that the select committee on the strengthening of democracy is inoperative, having been abandoned because it could not operate without everyone’s political will,” Dr Frendo said during the annual ceremony to mark the bread riot that broke out on June 7, 1919. The ceremony was held at Hastings Gardens in Valletta.

In his address to those present, including MPs led by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, Dr Frendo pointed out that the committee could not be replaced.

“The standing committee on House business is another forum where changes can be effected but it is certainly not the best forum when compared to the hopes and expectations the other committee had given rise to throughout the country,” he said.

Dr Frendo said there was “an urgent need” for the situation to change because “it is depriving us of the use of a tool” that was appropriate for reforms in favour of parliamentary democracy.

The committee, set up in 2008, was tasked with discussing a number of sensitive issues such as political party financing, the electoral system, strengthening Parliament’s resources and laws ensuring MPs steered clear of conflicts of interest.

The committee became inactive in March 2010 when the opposition walked out in protest following claims by government MPs on how some Labour MPs, particularly Justyne Caruana, had voted during a debate on the power station extension. The opposition had also protested over a ruling by the Speaker on the issue. Labour MP Carmelo Abela had also resigned his post of Deputy Speaker.

During the ceremony, heads of political parties, unions and constituted bodies and the police laid wreaths at the monument to mark the bread riots where four Maltese – Manwel Attard, Ġużè Bajada, Wenzu Dyer and Karmenu Abela – had died.

There was a strong police presence at the ceremony and metal barriers sealed off access to Hastings Gardens. About 30 police officers stood close to the barriers which sealed access from Ordnance and Cavalier Street, forcing a press conference by Alternattiva Demokratika to take place in Ordnance Street.

The heavy police presence was a reaction to last year’s failed attempt by Graffitti protesters to gatecrash the ceremony. Police officers had to drag away the protestors from the entrance to Hastings Gardens who had planned to bar access to President George Abela, Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat.