Listening to the arguments and counter arguments brought forward by the Prime Minister during the latest political crisis, has confirmed beyond any doubt that he is totally out of touch and believes that everyone shares the same flight of imagination. We should all kneel down and thank our lucky stars for having the luxury for being ruled by the present exclusive clique, who are the only gifted and idoneus people to govern this archipelago.

It is absolutely unconceivable how people like Joseph Muscat and the rest of the PL have the cheek to challenge the Prime Minister and test whether he still enjoys the support of the highest number of MPs in the chamber! How dare they? Winning an election, even by a whisker, inevitably means carte blanche for an uninterrupted full term, irrespective of any consideration. Now the maestro directs and we shall all sing happily and dance according to his tempo!

Irrespective of this fallacious and simplistic interpretation of how parliamentary democracy works, in actual reality it all boils down to simple numbers! All other rhetorical arguments brought about by GonziPN’s paladins are all orchestrated to deviate from the real problem: whether the Prime Minister enjoys the necessary numerical majority to carry on.

After weeks of serious declarations of dissent by one of the MPs, followed by his official resignation from the party, it was necessary to confirm whether the Prime Minister still enjoyed the support of the majority of members within the chamber. Once the Prime Minister abducted from ascertaining that he enjoys the necessary numerical support, it had to be the Labour Opposition to table and present a vote of no confidence, precisely meant to verify whether the present government can continue to go ahead.

After the vote, the result was loud and clear. The ruling party had the support of 35 seats and now enjoys the support of 34 seats, thus the ruling majority lost!! Moreover, there was a solemn declaration by the same MP that unless the Prime Minister resigns, followed by other ministerial resignations he will not continue to support the government in Parliament. Not only, there were also serious accusations in terms that the country is ruled by an oligarchy who continue to rule despite the fiascos and laissez-faire.

Consequently, the tune played by all acolytes of GonziPN to hide all this and give the impression that the Opposition’s motion was defeated and GonziPN came out triumphant, is surely illusionary and rhetorical. Therefore, where’s the beef? The main issue is that Lawrence Gonzi failed miserably to maintain the support of all elected MPs within his fold. Plain and simple! On the contrary, one of the MPs is demanding his resignation.

If they want to live in denial about these facts, then it is up to them. If the Prime Minister decides to cling to power and continue to drag on and limp on with crutches, then one has to assume the consequent responsibilities of such a decision. Running the country is serious business and the instability that such parliamentary stalemate brings about could have adverse effects on a multitude of vital economic sectors.

Instead of tackling the real issue, GonziPN embarked on desperate tactics to delay as much as possible the day when our people are called to cast their vote!! It was announced that the PN would be holding a leadership contest to either confirm GonziPN or elect a new leader. You don’t have to be a clairvoyant to predict the outcome. It is an exercise in futility!

While the Prime Minister has the luxury and time to manoeuvre and strive to tame the rebel, particular social partners are already lamenting that this uncertainty is in no way beneficial or in the national interest. For rightness sake, GonziPN should stop playing with people’s emotions and address the real issues. If there are people who still believe that they can take all the people for a ride all the time or think they are that gullible, they are simply living in cloud cuckoo land!

Mr Galdes is the Labour Party’s spokesman for Planning, Housing, Construction and Urban Development.

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