Robert Arrigo: what a mistake that was
As Robert Arrigo tries to wriggle out of the Nikki Dimech/cocaine addiction/patronage/bribery mess down in Sliema, he must know that his chances of persuading the prime minister, against his wisdom, to make him part of his cabinet are now shot to hell.
His only chance at get a ministerial position to play around with is in helping John Dalli become party leader and prime minister. So it would be a good idea if John Dalli Today were not so transparent in promoting the interests of disgruntled MPs and their protege mayors who have a cocaine problem and need to find creative ways of funding it.
Perhaps the keen-as-mustard journalists who promote the disgruntlement of MPs should make a bit of effort at finding out WHY some of them are so teed off.
Here’s the story on Robert Arrigo, who is really irritating me now with his claims that he is some kind of asset to the Nationalist Party and would be an amazing asset to the government.
He first tried to persuade the Nationalist Party to allow him to stand for election on its ticket around 20 years ago. He was not allowed to contest the 1996 and 1998 general elections, or to put it mildly, he wasn’t selected.
The party hierarchy, however, lost the battle to stop him standing for election to the Sliema council on its ticket in 1994, and he contested every Sliema council election after that until 2003, when the party finally relented and allowed him to stand on the PN ticket in the 2003 general election, no doubt because of the ‘all hands on deck’ nature of that election which would decide on Malta’s EU membership.
Because he was allowed to contest then and brought in enough votes to allow him to throw his weight around, he was selected for the PN ticket again in 2008.
But the Nationalist Party should get a grip on itself and deselect him in 2013. There’s nothing about him that tells me he’s in it for the good of the nation.
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From Maltastar.com
“Former French Justice Minister and MEP Rachida Dita has apologised after confusing oral sex with inflation.”
Fallation – Inflation / DIta – Dati what’s in a letter or two ?
The matter highlights some further lessons to be learned.
1. The screening of party candidates. This is probably a tough one, but there are many instruments to be used. It seems to be one of the weak links in cases like the above.
2. Public declaration of key interests by MPs and other high offices of the state. I am not aware this is done, and I haven’t assessed the Constitutional implications if any.
However, I believe that in the interests of public accountability, it may be appropriate to put in place a public register in which MPs, who hold themselves out to represent the electorate, and other offices such as chairmen of public corporations, should be required to update their key interests. Such register should be publicly accessible, on internet if possible.
Those interests can be financial, economic and interests in matters which may be “in the public interest” (e.g. sports, voluntary, other organisations). Those making the disclosure should indicate the names of third parties involved, legal vehicles (e.g. company names) used in pursuing those interests etc.
The public should be aware that MPs are likely to be influenced by those interests.
This disclosure is based on the idea that when one accepts a public office, one has to expect public scrutiny.
I know it sounds like a radical idea. However, public disclosure is a modern tool of transparency and accountability.
Something not very different is done by company directors who are required to disclose to their shareholders their other directorships, which could create conflict or give rise to other interests.
As far as I understand, as things stand, the only way we get to know about MPs interests is through gossip or through major political “scandals” when something, somewhere, has gone wrong.
[Daphne – Errrm, I hate to break it to you, but it’s been done for years. Whether it’s accurate is another matter.]
Daphne, thanks for your comment there.
You see, it may exist, but I do not know enough about it, or do not know how to have a look at it.
I am aware that there is a declaration of financial assets and, I think, of properties. I am not sure it is wider and goes into “interests.”
And I am also not sure how easily accessible it is. For instance, I suspect the assets declaration I know of is done in Parliament, but how can I access it right now?
Also, is the declaration applicable to all MPs and high offices of government, or just Cabinet Ministers?
I know the matter can be complex.
[Daphne – They’re published in the newspapers.]
You are right – the requirement is set out here.
http://www.parlament.org.mt/codeofethics-ministers?l=1
However, it is limited to ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Robert Musumeci is the sole ‘sponsor’ appearing in the newly refurbished football ground in Siggiewi.
I hope we wise up to these successful businessmen who are all clamouring for public attention. What are they looking for? A personality cult? Want to emulate Berlusconi? They want to party on the country until death begets them?
And then what?
Your beloved PM is telling you to shut up!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100930/local/gonzi-defends-arrigo-over-sliema-mayors-claims
[Daphne – Hardly. There’s a one-seat majority, remember.]
@ Daphne
Just one good excuse then, as to why our Prime Minister is defending this ‘ass-et’.
|Arrigo should have been sent packing together with his pathetic pawn, Dimech.