It took three general elections before Franco Debono made it to parliament, and even his election to parliament in 2008 came as a surprise.

While he expected to improve on his result in 1998 and 2003, he admits that he did not expect to win a seat at the expense of Minister Louis Galea and Parliamentary Secretary Helen d’Amato.

But what happened in parliament is well known: relations between him and the party deteriorated over time, and after his vote forced the resignation of Carm Mifsud Bonnici from cabinet and the party banned him from contesting the general election in its name, he brought the government down by voting against the 2013 budget, albeit close to the end of its planned five-year term.

While he refuses to state that his political career has finished, it is perhaps hard to imagine him returning to parliament any time soon. But does he have any regrets about the way he dealt with matters?

The short answer is no.

“If you analyse what had happened, I think I was diplomatic,” he insists, bringing up his calls for a law on party financing as an example.

He notes that he initially spoke calmly about the subject. But he adds: “what can your reaction be when no one pays any attention?”

As it turns out, Dr Debono – now president of the Law Commission – has been advising the new Labour government on its own party financing bill, and he argues that the Nationalist Party’s support for such an initiative vindicates his stance when he was an MP.

But where does party loyalty factor in?

“An MP is not a party delegate, but the people’s representative, elected on a party ticket,” he replies, arguing that this was an important distinction.

“If you have a minister whose reforms all lead to a public outcry, and people are suffering as a result, do you expect me, as a backbencher, to support him?”

If his proposals were implemented, he insists, the ultimate winner would not be himself, but the public and the party, which would take credit for the implementation of the reforms.

“My political career was on the rise, as the youngest government MP, so I had every reason to come up with ideas to help the PN win the next election,” he adds, before insisting that his proposals, ultimately, reflected the party’s status as the party of justice and liberty.

PN leader ‘burdened by party’s past’

On several occasions during the interview, Dr Debono points out that the public delivered its judgment of the PN in last year’s general election, as well as this year’s European Parliament election.

When asked to comment on the party’s efforts in opposition, he does recognise that there are signs of reform within the party. Nevertheless, he highlights a number of worrying developments, including Ian Castaldi Paris’ decision to resign from the party and as Lija mayor.

And in an argument he makes repeatedly, Dr Debono also points out that the present party leader, Simon Busuttil, faces a crucial problem: he is burdened by what had happened in the past.

“True, he was there as deputy leader, as a special delegate… but he has assumed the burden of decisions taken before he became the party’s leader, and which have taken a great toll on the party,” he maintains.

Dr Debono noted that if the PN’s actions hurt people – and, he emphasised, the election results suggested that many felt aggrieved – trying to reach out now may only do so much.

“If you could help them and did not, and now, perhaps, they have been helped by someone else… and now you go to simply tell them that what happened, happened, and what will they do with their pain,” he asks.

That said, Dr Debono also points out that his impression is that Dr Busuttil would have dealt with certain situations differently. At one point, he recalls that Dr Busuttil regularly spoke up during parliamentary group meetings, and would assert himself whenever he felt he disagreed with something.

All in all, there is a hint of cautious optimism in Dr Debono’s assessment of his former party. But would he consider rejoining it at some point in the future?

He avoids a direct answer, although he points out that at present, he is focusing on his present roles.

“Thankfully, I am contributing on reforms which I advocated strongly, and which I wished were carried out by the PN,” he states, before adding that frustration in the PN backbench was not limited to those who aired their grievances out in public.

Comparing governments

Dr Debono then notes that the cabinet headed by Lawrence Gonzi was too small, although the present 23-member cabinet was too large.

He adds, however, that there was a notable difference in the way government backbenchers were treated, as they were now being given a role which allowed them to make a more substantial contribution.

But aren’t such appointments an attempt at appeasement? After all, the previous government’s appointment of parliamentary assistants to ministers – Dr Debono himself was made the Prime Minister’s own assistant – was viewed with equal cynicism.

Dr Debono disagrees, stating that as backbenchers who wish to contribute would want to be in a position where they can make a valid contribution. But he does recognise that another argument can be made.

“Even government backbenchers can make uncomfortable questions to government, and can vote against government motions or abstain. When you give them an executive role, one might argue that this means of parliamentary control is being hindered,” he points out.

When asked to state how the present government compares to the previous one, Dr Debono emphasises that it should be up the electorate to pass judgment, and that it did so two months ago, during the European election.

He does note that there are issues which could have been handled better, including the Individual Investor Programme and the health sector.

“The government would be expected to have a roadmap on health, but one may think that it has no roadmap at all, because the minister would not have been replaced after a year if this was the case,” Dr Debono points out.

But he adds that other issues were handled very well, including the government’s electricity policy. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he is full of praise for Justice Minister Owen Bonnici.

The impression Dr Debono gives is that his assessment of the present government is higher than that of the previous one, although he shies away from being categorical on the matter when asked to do so.

“Not my assessment, that of the people,” he notes.

Soon enough, Dr Debono seeks to restore some balance, observing that it is perhaps too early to assess the present government’s operations.

“The PN did well in certain sectors – the party did a lot of good – and this government is benefiting from these decisions,” he explains, citing tourism as an example.

A return to politics?

Dr Debono may be out of parliament and outside of any political party structure, but he refuses to call it quits on his political career regardless.

“I could have gone to parliament to keep my seat warm, as some do, make a speech from time to time, tour the district,” he observes, before going on to describe the district heavyweights he competed with in the 2008 election.

“I love politics, everyone knows that I took certain steps because of my love of politics,” he adds.

Dr Debono may not foresee a return to political campaigning any time soon, but also points out that there are people who enter politics at a later age.

“I will not say that my political career is finished or not… at the age of 40, it would feel strange to say that I will no longer do politics,” he adds.

Franco Debono no longer Law Commissioner