News | Sunday, 11 January 2009

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Lawrence Gonzi reins in angry backbench

Karl Schembri
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has informed PN backbenchers about his decision to start convening them every two weeks to keep them briefed about Cabinet discussions.
In an email, Gonzi informed Nationalist MPs that they will have fortnightly parliamentary group meetings at Castille, starting from tomorrow, in which they will be kept up to date about the Cabinet agenda and impending decisions.
Insiders say the move came amid concerns of lingering disgruntlement among backbenchers.
They say that with a one-seat majority in Parliament, Gonzi is reacting to party fears of having a possible rebel that could jeopardise the government’s side.
“With a one-seat majority, it’s wise to keep the backbench happy and involved,” one backbencher said yesterday. “A disgruntled MP can easily turn into a rebel.”
Among the known angry MPs, sources name former Sliema mayor Robert Arrigo and former transport minister Jesmond Mugliett, whom Gonzi did not reappoint to his Cabinet after the last election.
But the individual who is on everyone’s mind as a possible maverick is Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, whom Gonzi left on the backbench after supporting him on the Mistra development controversy in the last days before the election.
Soon after, Gonzi made it clear Pullicino Orlando had no place in his Cabinet, crushing his hopes of becoming minister for the environment or tourism.
“Pullicino Orlando is always a concern, but the one-seat issue goes beyond one individual,” another backbencher said yesterday about Gonzi’s new fortnightly meetings with MPs. “It’s a way of making backbenchers feel included, which is quite sensible in the circumstances.”

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