Nationalist backbencher Robert Arrigo feels short-changed after failing to secure a Cabinet post, despite being elected from two districts in last year's election. He tells Herman Grech, however, that he is prepared to wait in the wings.

How would you describe the current legislature's performance so far?

It's probably not what people expected. It is a bit clouded by the current global economic problems. But I believe one could do better.

To what extent are the problems clouded by the international recession or are they self-inflicted?

Sometimes we have a habit of causing the problems ourselves. With some hindsight, we could avoid it.

What were your personal expectations from this government?

We voted for continuity in the first term of Lawrence Gonzi as Prime Minister. He had to be given a second chance. My expectations are like the people's. People would like to see jobs now, not necessarily high-profile jobs. A large number of people are visiting my offices looking for jobs.

What do you think of Lawrence Gonzi's performance as Prime Minister?

The performance in the first few years was excellent. I hope that as a government we deliver the promises we made to the electorate.

Do you think he's been a strong Prime Minister in the past 18 months?

You will see a strong Prime Minister when he is facing a crisis. I don't see him facing a crisis at the moment. He has taken some hard decisions which haven't gone down well. If he's a man who listens and evaluates and then decides, then he's a good Prime Minister.

And is he one?

I think most times he does. Maybe he should do it all the time.

Many people would argue that the Prime Minister has a crisis in his backbench. Do you agree?

No, on the contrary I think he's got many faithful people on the backbench. The so-called crisis of the backbench will happen if it feels excluded or not consulted. There are a lot of people on the backbench that can make a small contribution.

Are they being given the space to make a contribution?

At the moment, no.

Is it different to the past legislature or has it always been the case within the PN?

I was there in the past and I believe the first government gave more space to backbenchers. Backbenchers would like to be talked to, consulted and informed. I don't think we should read about any appointments, from the President downwards, in The Times and The Sunday Times - while we are not informed as a parliamentary group.

You are always touted as one of the disgruntled backbenchers. Fact or fiction?

I think it's (the claims are) manipulation by some people.

Within the party?

Yes. I'm a person who has always stated things in black on white. Constructive criticism is not disgruntlement. I am not disgruntled. I perform my duties as an MP every day, I meet people daily. I don't have ambitions of any sort. If I think money has been badly spent, I will say where it should have been spent. I do give alternatives. Everything I've said in public I've always told to the Prime Minister beforehand.

Are you saying that accusations that you are fomenting backbench disgruntlement are untrue?

It's untrue. It's very unfortunate. And obviously it hurts.

Do you deny there is a team of backbenchers ganging up to put pressure on the Prime Minister?

I think the attitude of the backbenchers is that they are talking to him privately. I believe we all give him our points of view and I'm sure he's taken note. It's up to him really.

There is much talk of a reshuffle. Do you think you deserve a place in Cabinet?

It's the prerogative of the Prime Minister. I don't believe there will be any reshuffle. During the previous administration there was talk that he would have liked to see certain backbenchers attached to ministries. We didn't delve further on that discussion. I believe there are good younger backbenchers. Attaching them would give them an apprenticeship for future pastures.

You were elected from two districts. Do you think it should have given you the necessary passport to Cabinet?

No, there's nothing like an automatic ticket. You're elected to Parliament. I can only thank the voters for being elected from two districts. The voter loaned his vote for five years. He expects interest on a loan and he can take it away very easily in the next election. I helped the Nationalist Party get a one-seat majority and helped Lawrence Gonzi become Prime Minister.

Don't you think the Prime Minister should choose his Cabinet members solely on the basis of their abilities rather than their electoral support?

Yes. This parliamentary group has a lot of good people. The Prime Minister said the only resource Malta has is its people. So I can't see why we should have so many good people on the backbench who aren't being used.

Why do you think the Prime Minister opted out of giving you a Cabinet post?

I wouldn't know.

Have you ever confronted him about it?

Yes, I had a couple of discussions with him. These discussions were held between us and that's the way they're going to stay.

Were you upset at the Prime Minister?

Let's put it this way - everybody would have liked to get a post once elected. I think the people that voted for me were the most upset about it - not because they would have earned something from me because I'm in a post. I could have contributed to the government.

Did the Prime Minister promise you anything before the election?

No.

There are a lot of claims that candidates helped their constituents in different ways before last year's election even with gifts. Do you deny that you helped certain constituents before the election to get their votes?

Probably I have helped them in the past years. I continue helping...

...helping in what way?

Helping doesn't mean you buy votes. That would have been the simplest thing. You have to earn your votes. The voter thinks several times before he casts his vote. It's a big honour, believe me, when you top the list on the 10th district by so many votes when the competition is known to be very tough. Remember I was the only MP who didn't have a (ministerial) post.

What makes you so popular in your district?

I hope it's because people know who they're voting for. I don't make promises...

...but you help them out.

I try to help them out in any problem they may have.

Can you give me an example?

The two districts are very varied. There are people who want help with a job, people who want a transfer from one department to another. I think I'm obliged to help. That's why I open my office daily. I may fill in forms, I may guide. Sometimes they just need someone to hear them out.

Labour's deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia has filed a case with the police claiming the Nationalists bought votes in last year's election. Do you deny you were one of these who bought votes?

I am not party to such a thing. I think it's very bad that someone has to even sell a vote. You don't earn a vote by promising something in the last month, by saying you will give jobs when you're a minister. People promise a lot of things and after a few months they change their mobile phone number, or else ignore the person they had spoken to - that is cheating a person of his vote. That's something I've never done.

Politicians often moan about people blackmailing them with their vote. Don't you think it is ultimately their party which has led them to believe that such behaviour is acceptable?

Being so small, yes it happens very often. That a person blackmails another with his vote is a sign of desperation. People sometimes just want what is theirs.

Isn't it a throwback to the 1980s that politicians have to intervene in petty issues?

They shouldn't. But the function of a local MP in my experience shows that even in our districts you need that phone call to get things moving. And it shouldn't be that way.

Even though it's a throwback to the 1980s.

Yes.

You say there won't be a reshuffle. If there is, and you are not among those chosen, what will your position be?

I'll cross the bridge when I get to it. I'm in politics because I like it. I don't need a seat in Parliament or a ministerial seat to earn a living. I do it because I like to give a service. My track record shows I've been successful in anything I've done. If somebody doesn't have confidence in me he has every right to do so.

Can you see yourself opting out of the Nationalist Party?

No, I will never opt out of the PN. I'm fourth-generation in this party. In 1921, my great grandfather was the first Speaker of the House.

So there's no talk of you crossing to the other side if you're not given a Cabinet post.

This kind of talk will only come from some foul-mouthed people.

Would you choose to cause trouble for the Prime Minister if you're not chosen?

I don't know what kind of trouble you mean...

...You may abstain from voting with the government.

Yes, I can do anything.

Is it something you'd consider?

It's my duty to raise it in the parliamentary group if I, or my electorate, have reservations on a law. And I expect the minister to take them into consideration after constructive discussion. If any suggestions are ignored because they're coming from me, then one has to stand up. I've taken an oath to be faithful - and it will last as long as I'm an MP.

So do you pledge allegiance to Lawrence Gonzi, to this government for the next three years - irrespective of any Cabinet reshuffle?

I am a party member. I'm elected on its emblem. As generations have passed, my allegiance is to that party, whoever the Prime Minister might be. I am not a person who will cross to the other side. I will always be a Nationalist. Notwithstanding that, I don't feel I'm barred from speaking my mind.

Do you speak to your voters about how you feel about the PN?

Yes.

What do you tell them?

I tell them the truth. I tell them we have good and bad points. I have a duty to improve the bad points. And if something affects my constituents, I will be their voice.

Have you always supported your party? For example, did you support your party with your constituents during the European Parliament elections?

For six months before the June election I was on the road daily, doing home visits in San Ġwann, Sliema and Msida. I'm very proud to say that in all three my candidate came in first - two were made mayors.

Are you using the local councils to gather more support for yourself indirectly?

These were people who helped me out in my election. It is morally correct for me to do the same. Whether I contest the next election or not, I'm morally obliged to help a friend.

But strategically it's interesting for you to put your people at the helm of councils, since they are directly in touch with residents. You now have your mayors to promote your cause.

I've always told everyone to be fair. We should not foul-mouth anybody. Are ministers wrong to appoint their own people on boards? If they're not wrong, why should I be wrong?

You had remarked that with Joseph Muscat as leader, the "Alfred Sant fear factor" no longer existed and it was now a "totally different ball game". Is a Labour victory at the next election a foregone conclusion?

It's not a foregone conclusion. However, we did play a friendly match with Labour on June 6 and we lost it heavily. There's enough time to go for another PN victory.

What needs to be done?

You can't do much about the sudden disgruntlement across the board. We need to create jobs first.

The Labour Party is carrying out certain changes. Its general secretary has resigned. Do you think the Prime Minister should take Labour's cue?

The Sant fear factor in our districts is gone. The PN has to see what's happening in the PL, which we can't take for granted. We provide Malta with a good government but we shouldn't be inward looking and say we're doing well.

Is that what the government's doing?

Yes. We're giving that perception. And you win an election with the perception of the people.

What do you think of Joseph Muscat?

As a young man, it's not easy to replace a general secretary and put him in a different post. For me, that's called leadership - whether it's good or bad. These are the decisions that make a person. In my life I take decisions all the time. But I think as a party we have to monitor very closely what is happening in the PL.

Are you insinuating that Dr Gonzi lacks these same qualities?

He does. I don't think we would have voted for him to be leader if he didn't. But the party as a whole has to see what Labour's doing. The next election can't be won or lost with one person.

You are one of the main tourism operators in Malta and you often made your views heard about the subject. Would you take on the job of tourism minister if it were offered to you? Don't you think there's a conflict of interest if you took it on?

I have no conflict of interest. I don't have any hotels and my only interest is to bring tourists to Malta. I brought in 1.6 million non-English tourists to Malta. Taking up that ministry would be very uncomfortable because probably my family would lose out. I would prefer something else like sports or local councils. But I'm not asking for it. I have never asked for anything in my life.

You've served as Sliema mayor before assuming government duties. Don't you think that the rampant construction in your locality is one of the reasons why traditional Nationalists are disgruntled with their government?

I don't think Sliema people are against all construction. They're against delays. Up till today we still don't have a target date for completion of construction. There are no proper structures to reduce the dust, noise, or time. And that annoys people.

So are you saying the construction regulations introduced a couple of years ago aren't enough?

They're not functioning.

You said the choice of George Abela as president could have repercussions on the PN. What kind of repercussions?

We learnt about Dr Abela's appointment from The Sunday Times. We had a parliamentary group the next day and I voiced my opinion that I wasn't happy. But when I found out the Prime Minister had decided I backed him. When I made that comment I thought there were other candidates who were in line. The appointment of such a person was a first for Malta. After six months in office, I think his performance in office has been very good. So probably the Prime Minister's choice was good.

Do we need more of these 'gutsy' decisions from the Prime Minister?

Yes, maybe we didn't understand him, or as is the habit of any Nationalist government, it wasn't properly explained. We can't have the same people occupying chairmen's posts. Are they the only bright people in Malta? We have good human resources. So we should use everybody - especially in a crisis.

Watch excerpts of the interview on www.timesofmalta.com.