Godfrey and Marlene

It was not really a big surprise to hear that Godfrey Farrugia and Marlene Farrugia have called it a day.

There had been several signs over the past months that the two of them were taking a step back from their involvement in politics and the running of the Partit Demokratiku. Their decision to not contest the next election was only the natural way forward.

Both have had a colourful history in their political life, as developments saw them shift from one party to another, and later form and lead a new organisation. Their most significant moment was the time when, in the past legislature, Marlene left the Labour Party after growing differences on the way Labour was governing the country, with Godfrey following the same path later.

Marlene went on to form the Partit Demokratiku and, on the eve of the 2017 election, was joined by Godfrey on the PD ticket. Godfrey had been removed from

Health Minister by PM Joseph Muscat, was installed as PL whip but for many months had been seen to be moving away from the PL as he no longer felt comfortable there – and he ultimately did.

The Farrugias played their cards well and by persuading then Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil to form a PN-PD coalition, they ended up in Parliament. Both Godfrey and Marlene were elected at the expense of PN candidates, and now will see out the current term before they retire.

We spoke of signs that both were gradually pulling out of politics – Marlene, the first PD leader, resigned the post and although maintaining her presence in the House, she is no longer as vocal as she used to be. Godfrey, who was later named as leader after Anthony Buttigieg’s short stay as chief, also resigned the leadership after the MEP election in May and the PD is still sorting out its issues, four months down the line.

Politicians who move from one party to another are often labelled traitors, and some find it hard to put their trust in them. Marlene and Godfrey both received their fair share of insults after they abandoned the Labour Party. The insults grew when, after the 2017 election and the change in the PN leadership, their relationship with the new PN administration dissipated from one of respect to one of animosity and distrust.

But, whatever their beliefs, ideas and party allegiances, nobody can dispute their genuineness and sincerity. Both Godfrey and Marlene have successful professional careers, but they chose to give so much of their time to serve the country they love so much. There were occasions when one did not agree with them, but whatever they said and did was always with the best interests of Malta in mind.

One gets the impression that both of them have had enough of politics, especially the kind of politics we are having today, with politicians – more than ever before – intent on what they could gain rather than what they could give.

Godfrey and Marlene must have also realised that political selfishness, disrespect and dishonesty have risen to unprecedented levels, and they no longer want to be part of it.

If this is so, who can really blame them?