For years, we've lived in a state where neither individual politicians nor the government as a whole will ever admit political responsibility for anything.

These are the same people who sat in Parliament, looked a grieving mother in the eyes, and cruelly voted against her plea for a magisterial inquiry; one that later found the State responsible for the tragic, untimely death of her only son. They didn't assume political responsibility then, and they never will.

One particular minister has more accountability to shoulder than just Jean Paul Sofia's death.

Mamadou Sakine, Seajay Cardona, Steven Farrugia, Noel Calleja, Mario Jean-Paul Carmelo Fenech, Francis Formosa, Ben Ali Wahid Ben Hassine, John Attard, Gordon Calleja, Nazzareno Mifsud, Ihtisham Ihtisham, Kim Borg Nicolas Virtu, Colin Galea, and Arun Jose - prisoners who lost their lives in what was meant to be a facility that would help rehabilitate them: the Corradino Correctional Facility.

This falls under Camilleri's direct responsibility. And when Corradino was run by Alex Dalli, everyone knew things were bad. The minister knew it too. Yet, he kept him there. Death after tragic death. Because, for this government, friends come first. Always.

Did Byron Camilleri construct the warehouse that collapsed and killed a young man? No.

Is anyone saying that it was he the one running a reign of terror in Corradino, driving desperate prisoners to suicide? No.

Was he the one sneaking into a high-security facility to steal 200+ kg of drugs while a soldier slept? No.

But none of these "technicalities" absolve him of his grand failures. He is the minister responsible for security and internal affairs. If the buck does not stop with him, it moves further up the line to Robert Abela.

If Camilleri won't go, his boss has two choices: kick him out or leave instead of him.

We have seen what has happened so far.

Camilleri played the martyr: "It wasn't me, but here's my resignation." Abela put on his act: "I can't let go of one of my best ministers. I won't accept it."

Because, of course, friends come first. Along with the people who have dirt on you and can bring you down in the blink of an eye.

So yes, friends always come first.

Expecting Robert Abela to assume responsibility for his ministers' failures is unthinkable. Expecting any minister on that side of Parliament to do so? Laughable. Let alone the Prime Minister - the man with the ego of a dictator delivering a grand speech... to himself.

Byron Camilleri should go. He should have left years ago.

Just like Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri, and Joseph Muscat should have gone in 2016 when the Panama Papers scandal erupted. But back then, their friends protected them. Now, they're hanging by a thread.

Whether they get what they deserve remains to be seen. Whether Byron Camilleri and Robert Abela get what they deserve also remains to be seen. So far all they're doing is watching each other's backs. From what? Only God knows.

In the meantime, one thing is certain: we, the people, are the ones not getting what we deserve.

Governments are supposed to serve us. Ministers are supposed to serve us.

But if you ask me who they're actually serving? Aaaaah!

Definitely not me.

Christine Amaira is part of the PN Communications Office team