Just when Gonzi thought his backbench troubles were finally over, now it’s his ministers who are rebelling
Karl Stagno-Navarra Government ministers are reportedly resisting the Prime Minister’s plans for ‘twinning’ backbench MPs with their ministries, in a move to quash the perceived perception of ‘exclusionism’ within his administration.
Senior government sources have told MaltaToday that “at least four ministers” have told Lawrence Gonzi that they will not accept being “chaperoned,” while also warning that civil service staff cannot be made to serve MPs.
The plan to twin MPs with ministries was originally proposed by PN backbenchers shortly after the 2008 election, but although it was enthusiastically accepted by the Prime Minister, he reportedly received immediate resistance from investments minister Austin Gatt and rural affairs minister George Pullicino.
Lawrence Gonzi revived the idea three weeks ago, while putting together a strategy to secure his political survival in the wake of a mounting revolt on his backbench that was triggered by a cosmetic reshuffle to his Cabinet.
While holding one-on-one meetings with his backbenchers at Castille, Lawrence Gonzi reportedly asked his MPs where they would potentially see themselves twinned.
With a list in hand, Lawrence Gonzi then met his Cabinet and informed his ministers about his plans where he was reportedly asked to reconsider the move.
Sources at Castille have told MaltaToday that some ministers have warned the Prime Minister that such a move would open the doors for political confusion.
It remains unknown if the MPs will be given an office within the ministries and be given staff and what brief would they have.
So far the twinning concept has been explained to ministers, leaving many to believe that some ministers would simply dump the selected MPs with their parliamentary secretaries.
The Prime Minister has urged his ministers to support him on this initiative, which he explained will “strengthen the team.”
He reportedly stressed on the importance that ministers reply to parliamentary questions that are put forward to them by the backbench, and to be more forthcoming with them, especially when referring constituents to them for assistance.
Castille sources have also revealed that some MPs who will not be twinned with ministries are expected to be given “special assignments” for the procurement of foreign direct investment, some of whom assuming the roles of special envoys to meet prospective investors and convince them to invest in Malta and create new jobs.
But while the plan remains on the Prime Ministers cards, the perceived renewed ‘team spirit’ remains fragile.
The two PN parliamentary group meetings that were called last week have secured the Prime Minister a majority for last Monday’s vote in parliament on the water and electricity tariffs.
But many MPs have told this paper that a lot is now expected from the Prime Minister to keep his word on keeping the team united and most of all not committing the same mistakes that have caused almost irreparable damage to the administration.
“Many of us voted with a heavy heart,” said one MP who stressed how the revised utility tariffs were the result of incompetence in oil hedging calculations and mismanagement at Enemalta.
Many MPs still are still being considered as rebels by the Prime Ministers entourage, a label they refuse to accept.
As the primary healthcare reform still remains a thorn in the Prime Minister’s side given the strong opposition shown by many of his MPs, another major concern is the Auditor General’s conclusions to his investigations on the controversial Delimara Power Station contract.
The AGs report is expected to be published imminently and many MPs have already stressed that should the report reveal irregularities during the adjudication process of the €250 million contract, they will not vote against the Opposition’s motion to cancel the contract. Such action would throw Lawrence Gonzi’s government into chaos, putting him in a minority in parliament. The PN parliamentary group has still not discussed the issue yet as the discussion has been put on hold pending the publication of the AGs report.
MPs are considering the report as a major test for Lawrence Gonzi, and are biding their time to be proven right on many issues they raised.
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
