Backbencher denounces lack of consultation between government and backbench
Nationalist MP Franco Debono has denounced the lack of consultation with the government backbench, and complained that MPs are expected to toe the government line no matter what.
Ending days of speculation after his departure from parliament on Monday, forcing the Speaker of the House to use his casting vote to fend off an Opposition amendment, Debono said his actions were not “personally motivated”.
“I wanted to send a message: the PN backbench has no function. While the Opposition carries out its role, us backbenchers cannot criticise or question the actions of government. If we propose anything, the ministers take issue with us. If we question anything, we are accused of rocking the boat,” Debono told MaltaToday.
His feelings echo similar complaints made years back by Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who had commented over the lack of consultation with the backbench when the PN was then led by Eddie Fenech Adami.
Franco Debono’s departure from parliament first prompted speculation over a move to push Louis Galea to contest the casual election for the seat that will be vacated by John Dalli once he takes up his post as European Commissioner.
But Debono denied any rivalry with Galea. “It has got nothing to do with Louis Galea,” he said of the PN heavyweight who failed to get elected in the 2008 general elections.
The government has also denied media reports that the Security Services tracked down the MP at his house when Debono could not be contacted.
In the end, Lawrence Gonzi paid him a personal visit at his home, accompanied by his wife Kate. In comments to the press, Gonzi claimed he “needed to see his family” and that he “wanted to see him for personal reasons”.
But while Gonzi denied Debono’s actions were a cry for attention, the young MP has complained of “feeling left out”.
Franco Debono yesterday also told MaltaToday he had not denounced Finance Minister Tonio Fenech over his freebie trip to Spain during the PN parliamentary group meeting, contrary to claims by MPs present during the same meeting.
According to PN sources, Debono had questioned Fenech’s judgement in accepting the trip aboard magnate George Fenech’s private jet, to watch Arsenal play in Spain.
“I did not spill the beans on Tonio Fenech,” Debono said.
On Monday, Debono went missing when two votes were taken on amendments to a motion to set up a select committee, one of which will be chaired by Franco Debono.
One amendment proposed by the Opposition was to call for the Speaker to chair the committee instead of a Nationalist MP, leading to the rumours that the move was intended not to have Debono chair the committee.
Although he was last seen in Parliament at 7pm, Debono left the House when the votes were taken and his absence created a tie in both votes. Eventually, the amendments fell through with the Speaker’s casting vote. It was only when Debono returned to vote that the original motion, and a second one creating another select committee which he is to chair, were approved.
The government can only be toppled by a vote of no-confidence or a financial vote.
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