Letters | Wednesday, 01 April 2009

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Our Constitution recognises the Office of Prime Minister but it also constitutionalises the office of the Leader of the Opposition. This is a reflection of one of the salient features of our Constitution, ie. the principle of the legitimacy of organised dissent.
Our Constitution clearly provides for situations where the Prime Minister acts after consulting the Leader of the Opposition. Moreover, our Constitution also provides for situations where the President of the Republic acts on the advice of the Leader of the opposition.
Labour says this legal theory does not march alongside political reality. Can one ever take the PL seriously when consultation with the Opposition is the norm, and the Opposition keeps refusing? Our Constitution states that whether or not the Prime Minister has acted after consulting the Leader of the Opposition, this may not be inquired into a court of law. This section is superfluous in our given circumstances. The Government and the Prime Minister has made consulting the Opposition the lifeblood of government polices. The writing is on the wall for all to see.

Patrick Pace
PN candidate for Sliema council

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