Read the Constitution, which I even quoted it for you. I’m not confusing anything.

Willywonka, your definition of ‘consulting’ seems to be hazy at best and gives the impression that you are confusing it with ‘briefing’.

When someone seeks advice, he/she ‘consults’ with someone who is perceived of having a better idea in order to arrive at a good decision. Joseph certainly does not fit in this scenario. He/she still makes the decision, rightly or wrongly, after having taken or declined the advice given to them.

Briefing someone is the sharing of information or of decisions already taken by whoever is responsible to make such decisions.

They’re going nuts on the Labour sites about this. How dare she say that the prime minister isn’t consulting Joseph?

They’re working as a ‘tim’.

Yes right, and the PM has given Joseph a desk at Castille, so that he can help him out with those pesky decisions.

This is a man who took three months off work last year because he had a hairline crack in his shin bone.

Popular opinion.

There are a number of instances where the PM has a constitutional legal obligation to consult with the Opposition (Public service commission, electoral commission, President substitute etc.).

Another point made in this post that I could not agree with was that, in times like these, the PM briefs the Leader of the Opposition out of courtesy, so that he doesn’t feel cut-off. I also think that this is mistaken. First of all, the fact of briefing the leader of opposition in times of crisis is a matter of convention not mere courtesy. Secondly, this convention, like so many others is drawn from tradition and wisdom. Thirdly, as we all know, constitutional convention, which though not legally enforceable, is something which we hold dear enough to adhere to religously (except during the golden Mintoff/KMB epoch which saw the spaghettification of convention)

Indeed, it is wise to brief the Leader of the Opposition, because in democracies, like ours, it is perfectly possible for the person occupying the post of Leader of the Opposition to become Prime Minister the following day. The prime-minister-in-waiting then, ought to be briefed on matters of crisis given that by definition emergencies are apolitical, transcending political boundaries. Their proper management is vital for the effective administration of the State during the period of emergency.

Hence, the convention.

After all, the Labour Party and its media machine don’t bother separating truth from fabrication if they think this can help them achieve their ends.

Remember the Muscat – Gonzi debate when Muscat kept addressing the Prime Minister as Lawrence?

It’s not the complex they suffer from which irritates me, it’s their actual inferiority, which, if not careful, we shall have to contend with in a couple of years.