Re – mistaken identity: well I added the middle F precisely because I wanted to differentiate myself from the other Ivan Attard who regularly attacks Andrew Borg Cardona on his blog. (ABC is aware of this fact and that is why I was surprised with ABC’s comment)

Notwithstanding the above, I am even more convinced with my line of thinking.

Franco Debono had to vote ‘yes’ and express confidence in government, because otherwise he would deprive himself (or other PN MPs for that matter) of the opportunity to vote ‘no’ on other votes.

Debono was quoted as saying that he will vote with government on the PREU vote. That does not exclude the possibility that:-

i) he will claim that he was misquoted;

ii) or simply changes his mind;

ii) or that he is perfectly aware of other black sheeps on the issue. (JPO’s silent presence during Leo Brincat’s “question” time should raise an eyebrow).

That is why the PM, during his winding up, should have called Franco Debono’s bluff last Monday and demand an even more clear unconditional yes vote from all 35 PN members of parliament.

Hopefully, Andrew Borg Cardonais right and all this reasoning is a mere idiotic hallucination.

Eventually, one of Murdoch’s papers threw its support behind Blair, and this was instrumental in his sweeping to victory in 1997.

Is Franco Debono not aware of the power of the media over politics?

@ABC – like most PN voters, I do feel like a hopeless idiot. I cannot accept the fact that I am represented in parliament by Franco Debono.

“every public utterance” – I do not speak/blog in public that often to prompt such a reaction from an opinion writer I respect.

[Daphne – It could be a case of mistaken identity.]

“Increasing his voice…”

They are very fit to run the country. Tal-biki.

My favourite is “increasing his voice”.

“Nationalist backbencher MP Franco Debono in a more calmer tone initiated his speech in parliament after Prime Minister Lawrence presented another motion of confidence in the government.”

Prime Minister Lawrence? Seriously?

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20120604-franco-debono-meritocracy-counts

The PL should delare Malta Today as its official mouthpiece and relegate Maltastar to a role of light entertainment.

The best way he can help the Prime Minister (and everyone else) is to find a big rock in some dark damp place, crawl under it and stay there.