I agree that the situation in Malta is dramatically different, but not for the reason that you cite.

Throughout the minority period in Canada’s last two parliaments (2006-2011) Prime Minister Harper generally chose not to negotiate with the other parties. He thumbed his nose at each of them in turn, running a never-ending, merciless media campaign against every one of his opponents, and daring them on a daily basis to bring down the government and call an election.

The instability that Harper purposely triggered allowed him to declare, in 2011, that Parliament was totally dysfunctional and that a solid majority was the only solution. He not only got his wish, but in the process he destroyed the two largest opposition parties, reducing the Liberals (Canada’s “natural governing party”) to third-party rump status.

The key difference between PM Harper and PM Gonzi is not the lack of a third or fourth party in the House. It is the rigid, unflinching discipline that Harper imposed on all his MPs, and the tightly coordinated and controlled messaging.

In this case the PN has simply got to make a clear example of Dr Debono. It needs to impose party discipline and cannot afford to fumble around like it did with Pullicino Orlando. Debono has overstayed his welcome within the party, and he has to leave, now.

If he chooses to bring the government down with a non-confidence motion today, tomorrow or six months from now (or whenever his bosses in Hamrun tell him that they are ready for an election), so be it. But let him do it while he is sitting out in the cold as an independent.

In the interim, the PN must gear-up into election mode.

Then is would not be because of a failed economy, not because of a record unemployment, not because of a falling number of tourists, not because we sided with Gaddafi till the end, and not even due to Joseph and Labour’s opposition skills.

It would be simply because a government MP thinks it’s his right to be nominated minister in this legislation as per his Form 2 Class C mid-term results. Yeah right, all in the interest of the country.

[Daphne – Actually, the blame would lie with the people who vote for the Labour Party/refrain from voting PN for whatever reason, Taks Fors. Let’s not lose sight of that. We are all responsible for the way we vote or don’t vote. Of course, given that so many people in this benighted set of islands are just as cracked as he is or getting on for it, I see your point about the risk.]

Expel Franco Debono from the party this week, make him sit on the Opposition benches on Jan 11 from where he will have to vote against this government in a confidence vote and from where he will also fly into oblivion once and for all.

He will then not even qualify to fit in Labour’s skip, what with all his very impressive Form 2C results.

“His methods are also despicable. While in public he talks of noble concepts of democracy, freedom and the dignity of Parliament, in private he engages in another manner. For months, his principal, though far from only, target has been the Prime Minister.”

And this comment I would say is the comment of the year which has just started.

Hats off to The Sunday Times of Malta editor.

This is only the tip of the iceberg.

Mela meta Joseph jilhaqq prim ministru ser ikollna ta l-inqas 33 ministru u segretarju parlamentari ghax kolla ghandhom id-drit li ghandu Franco illum, skond Joseph.

Bilhaqq, ghax kont ser ninsa: Joseph ghandu jurina ir-rapport tal-Form II tieghu biex naraw huwiex ahjar minn Franco biex jilhaqq prim ministru.

Dr Debono’s unsavoury tactics helped, in a way, for other backbenchers to shut up knowing very well that their future is within the Party and not without. Franco miscalculated and risked all and gained nil. He is now very much on the outside, like, for example, KMB and, to a lesser extent, Alfred Sant. They both are no longer assets to their party, and more of a nuisance. Yet they never plotted against their leaders before assuming leadership or after they relinquished their position.

If Dr Gonzi brings the leadership issue to a Party vote, he will be strengthened because throughout his leadership Malta not only maintained it good financial position, embarked on mega projects which created hundreds of jobs, gained respect throughout the world, and has one of the top performance records within the EU.

How much of this success can be laid at Debono’s doorstep? None, zilch, nada, nil. There were other similar brats in Malta’s political history. Where are they now? Of those who went to the other side of cyberspace, how many are still remembered? Those who still linger in our memories, are the ones known best for their atrocities, corruption, nepotism and some for their ‘monuments’ which remind us of their filthy past.

Franco Debono will be one of them and if a monument will ever be erected in his memory, it would have been bequeathed by his mommy.

A minority government in Malta could survive for a time with the Speaker’s casting vote if there is a tie (highly unlikely in the present circumstances) but would collapse as soon as a majority of the House votes in favour of a motion of no confidence or if a money bill fails to be carried.

I am not sure the Hon. Dr. Debono has played all his cards yet. His ultimate trump card would be bringing a motion of no confidence before the House which, if backed by all Opposition members, would effectively end the life of the present government.

If the PM resigns his office and another member of the government side can muster majority support in the House(in the present case including the Hon. Dr. Debono’s), then the President may ask him to form a government and there would be no need for premature elections.