Each prime minister has his own way of dismissing and appointing ministers. While freshly elected government MPs, new and old, were anxiously waiting the magical phone call from Castille, the technologically savvy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi opted for a modern, yet impersonal, way of dismissing some of his former ministers and parliamentary secretaries, and did so via SMS.

At least two former ministers confirmed that they had been told that they would not be receiving an appointment via a text message.

One of them, Jesmond Mugliett, however used the “plural” to explain this to The Malta Independent, implying that his former Cabinet colleagues were also informed that their services were not needed in the same way.

In fact, another former Minister, Francis Zammit Dimech, later confirmed that he too had received notice of the Prime Minister’s decision via sms, although afterwards did speak to Dr Gonzi on the phone about it.

This is what ministers and parliamentary secretaries in the first Lawrence Gonzi government had to say about the Prime Minister’s decision to leave them out of his second Cabinet.

Former Roads and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett

“I had always known that I was not a minister ad infinitum. It is a privilege that is granted according to the PM’s prerogative.

However, I was disappointed at the way we (former cabinet members) were informed that we would not be back on board. In fact, at about 1.30pm on Wednesday I was informed via SMS that I would not be a cabinet member.

I think we were owed a more dignified dismissal, as we were part of the cabinet that contributed to a PN victory.

We were at least owed an explanation as to why we were not reconsidered for a cabinet post, and a thank you.

I have received many SMSs and e-mails from constituents saying that they wanted me in the new cabinet. They were comforted by the fact that I am tranquil and have resolved to carry on assisting them as their MP.

Months before the election, I informed the PM that I had severed my ties with my professional studio and was keen to move on to new pastures; after all I am still young.

I did not expect to have such a decrease in the number of first preference votes, however, this has been a trend experienced throughout by ministers. It was symptomatic of the PN campaign calling for new blood within the cabinet. And this has been used by several candidates

I was expecting a bigger PN win, however, what happened during the last week of the electoral campaign slowed down our party’s boost.”

Former Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech

“I always respect the fact that this (Cabinet composition) is totally within the remit of the Prime Minister’s prerogative, and I fully respect the way in which he exercised that prerogative.

I confirm that the Prime Minister informed me of his decision via sms; however, we discussed it on the phone.

My constituents remain close to me and I remain close to them. I have every intention to keep in touch with them and serve them to the best of my abilities. Since I entered politics from a very young age, I have always considered politics to be a mission where one offers to be of service to the country in one way or other, depending on the circumstances prevailing from time to time.

I shall keep offering to be of service to the country and to my constituents as long as they so desire from me. Life in politics is similar to being on a rollercoaster – I always look forward to the next opportunity and challenge.

The ballgame for (being elected) this time was totally different. For starters we had the Prime Minister himself contesting the ninth district which automatically meant that there was one seat less for the other candidates contesting, and then the 10th district had a different configuration than in the last election, which again meant that there was a seat less for the Nationalist Party. So much so that the corrective mechanism provided by the Constitution to make up for incorrect electoral boundaries had to come into play, and one of the corrective seats that had to be allotted was precisely to make up for the seat that the party unjustly lost on the 10th district.”

Former Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit

“No comment.”

Former Health Minister Louis Deguara

“I feel honoured and lucky to have served my country first as a parliamentary secretary from 1995 to 1996 and then as a minister from 1998 to 2008 and have no regrets whatsoever.

Cabinet composition is the Prime Minister’s prerogative. The introduction of new ideas is the secret behind a fresh cabinet. And new ideas come from new people; therefore the new cabinet reflects this reality.”

Former Small and Medium Enterprises PS Edwin Vassallo

“I am very satisfied with my personal results and it was only due to Dr Alfred Sant’s attacks on a particular case that drastically hampered my electoral results. His criticism prompted people to cast both a protest and a sympathy vote. This was to be expected and a very natural reaction. However, I am grateful to the voters who have returned me to parliament. I have not been affected by the changes made to the composition of electoral districts.

As regards my exclusion from cabinet, I believe that is up to the Prime Minister to decide who’s in and who’s out and I certainly cannot interfere with that.

I still have not consulted with the electorate on whether they were disappointed that I was not included in the new cabinet.

It is also premature to comment on the PM’s decision not to have a secretariat for SMEs to which they used to address their queries. I was expecting an SMEs secretariat even if not under my responsibility; however, I still have to look deeper into the situation and assess whether any advantages SMEs used to enjoy has in any way been diminished.

My political career is not in jeopardy as there was never a career. I believe politics to be a mission in which you offer yourself to God so that He guides you to help people.

You might feel disappointed about not being back in cabinet; maybe the work I have carried out was not as good as I thought it was; nonetheless, this is no exam and there are no re-sits. The people elect you and the Prime Minister decides how you can be of service.

He has done a great job of securing a PN victory at the polls and resuming his job as a PM.

As an MP I will continue being of service to my fellow countrymen even if I am no longer a PS. I will go back to my retailing business and try to become a better retailer.”

Former Fisheries and Agriculture PS Francis Agius

“First of all, the cabinet composition is the Prime Minister’s prerogative. I think I have worked hard during my tenure of both the elderly and agriculture and fisheries secretariats. Besides, I have also kept away from political controversy and my name has never been tainted.

I have also managed to be elected four consecutive times and, believe me, it was not easy to make it in a predominantly Labour district (the second), which is also contested by the PN leader. In fact, I have been the best performing candidate where Dr Gonzi contested.

To top it all, I have been further damaged by the way electoral districts have been re-organised. In fact I was expecting either to be elected from either of the second or third districts or else not being elected at all, despite garnering 2,764 first counts votes in all. Apart from remaining in the balance with 3,295 votes in the second district, I was only eliminated in the 17th count when I had a tally of 2,367 votes on the third district. However, I feel that the constitutional amendment which guarantees proportional representation vindicated me.

My constituents are very disappointed as they thought I would be promoted rather than left out of cabinet. However, there is a lot of work to do and with my experience, ability and determination to help the people and the country, I can contribute in any way the Prime Minister deems fit.

I always look to the future and am proud that I have contributed to a PN victory.”