Get down to work

I think we can agree that fiscal morality is the backbone of good governance supporting social justice. We can also agree that public funds should not be squandered. Similarly, we can subscribe that abuse, whether in cash and/or in kind from the wide rang

If you agree on the three principles, let me take you through some random thoughts. It should not be acceptable, at least from my perspective, that beneficiaries are struck off the benefits register of sorts when the Prime Minister has failed miserably to take action against Messrs Mizzi and Schembri. The Prime Minister sacrificed his credibility and that of government to save both gentlemen. Government was, and still is, expected to lead by example. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister failed to take sound counsel, even from seasoned, close allies within the PL frontliners group.

The situation the PM has found himself in emanates from events that occurred prior the last general election.

At some stage the PL must have realised that, on its own, the party could not defeat the PN. The PN was unbeatable at the polls and the PL could not convince the electorate otherwise. In our duopoly, the winner takes it all; hence the silver medal is no big achievement at all.

Dr Joseph Muscat came along and the PL was craftily and conveniently turned into a moviment. The PL strategy group was in dire need of fresh blood and a winning brainwave. Last Wednesday in the House, the Prime Minister revealed that, together with Mr Schembri – currently his chief of staff and a successful businessman – he has planned and implemented the PL strategy.

Needless to say, part of the strategy was to hide as much of the MLP’s past as possible and get a new wrapper, which included a new logo and a change of party name. The torch-emblazoned red flags became memorabilia for collectors.

But by far, the most significant decisive measure was to turn the PL into a moviment. And the moviment ousted the PN out of office. The electorate, seriously annoyed at the PN, found refuge in the movement. Once it became obvious that the PN would likely suffer a crushing defeat, many jumped off the sinking ship. A few stragglers, who kept hoping against hope for a PN electoral victory, deserted the party when the result was out. Would the last one to leave the building please switch off the lights.

While the PN was in free-fall, a report was commissioned with the purpose of identifying why the party was heavily defeated at the polls. The reasons cited were many. Here it is not my intention to re-open a closed chapter. The issues have been debated at length. Hopefully, the analysis was accurate and most of the issues identified which led to the heavy electoral defeat are being addressed. According to recent surveys, the PN is gaining ground on the PL, notwithstanding the booming economy. It is evident that the PN is building on solid foundations, which should place the party ready in time for the coming general election.

Once the moviment moved into office, it was believed by many that it would be there almost for good. The PN was after all in tatters. But what looked impossible then has become plausible. Within three short years, the moviment started to crack. Once firmly installed in Castille, the new administration was gripped by a level of arrogance which has since constantly been on the increase.

The moviment found that it cannot entertain all its electoral promises, as some are diametrically opposite of what was promised to another NGO, body or organisation. The PL found, perhaps belatedly, that it’s impossible for a moviment to govern. There are too many masters to serve in a moviment.

In Malta we had positively experienced a moviment on at least two occasions. Incidentally, in the run up to Malta’s joining the European Union, a moviment secured a yes vote in the referendum. Shortly after, the moviment was disbanded. Another moviment was established again, albeit with different players, in the run up to the divorce referendum. Yet again, shortly afterwards, it was disbanded. However, it is pertinent to note that in these instances individuals and people from different organisations worked towards achieving one clearly defined objective.

This brings me to the House debate of last Wednesday which I have intermittently followed. Hon Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment, made some remarks which should be analysed well. Mr Bartolo came very close to the public commitment made by the Leader of the Opposition that honesty in politics has become a priority. During his speech, Mr Bartolo recounted an invitation he had to join a group of people for a bite of rabbit and a glass or two of fine wine. He whetted my appetite until he revealed that, after the event, he questioned whether it was elected parliamentarians who were enacting legislation for the common good or whether some of the parliamentarians had rendered themselves pawns in the hands of the opportunistic few. Perhaps there is more to an invitation to lunch.

Political honesty – now, that’s an issue that a new task-oriented moviment might want to take up.

“Once the moviment moved into office, it was believed by many that it would be there almost for good. The PN was after all in tatters. But what looked impossible then has become plausible. Within three short years, the moviment started to crack.