Half men and total losers
Talking to mummy? Franco Debono during the house business committee meeting yesterday, as photographed by The Times
Is that Earl Grey and has somebody remembered to put the whisky in? Loser No. 2 gulps it down to cover his self-consciousness and breaks out into a nervous sweat. Don’t worry, Jeff – you’ll get a pat on the back when you get home.
People sometimes ask me why I like Austin Gatt. I like him because he’s forthright, does not soft-soap people, speaks unambiguously and never sits on the fence. In Malta, those virtues are considered to be the vice of arrogance.
However, given that I tend to be of the same frame of mind myself, I prefer that sort of person. Though I am not crazy about brusqueness and loudness, I certainly prefer them to smarmy talk, double-dealing, disloyalty and self-serving behaviour.
The fact remains that Austin Gatt’s reaction to those two losers’ request for his resignation was cathartic for many of us who have been watching with escalating tension and irritation as other politicians have danced around them like the armed terrorists in the room who might take the pin out of the grenade if provoked by a bit of straight talk.
In The Times today:
Defiant Transport Minister Austin Gatt yesterday replied to calls for his resignation with a proposal to his detractors, Franco Debono and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, to join him.
Dr Gatt had no intention of leaving Cabinet and would only do so if PN backbencher Dr Debono and independent MP Dr Pullicino Orlando resigned from Parliament, a spokeswoman for the Transport Minister told The Times.
(…)
Later, in a statement issued to all the media, he said he wanted to “quell unnecessary speculation” by clarifying that he would continue to serve as minister as long as he enjoyed the trust and confidence of the Prime Minister.
After the meeting, the Opposition piled on the pressure by filing two motions in a bid to force a debate on the car park privatisation and on a motion of no confidence in the minister.
Dr Gatt’s ministry was forced to postpone plans to privatise public car parks after an Opposition motion calling for the tendering process to be stopped was backed by Dr Debono and Dr Pullicino Orlando on Monday.
Just before yesterday’s meeting started, Dr Debono went one step further and formally filed a five-page motion of no confidence in Dr Gatt, whom he consistently referred to by his formal name Agostino Pio.
(…)
Dr Debono’s grievances were picked up during the House Business Committee meeting by Dr Pullicino Orlando.
Speaking “as the Government’s coalition partner”, he asked Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg whether Dr Gatt was considering resigning before the Budget to “remove the obstacle” that “risked” derailing the Government.
Dr Debono said he would vote against the Budget with Dr Gatt still in Cabinet, a move that would most likely force the Prime Minister to call an election.
“The Government wants to present the Budget but it is clear there is an obstacle… if Dr Gatt resigns the impasse with Dr Debono will be removed,” Dr Pullicino Orlando said.
But Dr Gatt’s spokeswoman answered with a flat no. “Minister Gatt has no intention of resigning simply because Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando thinks it would be a good idea to satisfy the whims of Franco Debono.”
The present impasse would similarly be resolved, she added, if Dr Pullicino Orlando and Dr Debono resigned their seats in Parliament.
In his later statement, Minister Gatt said: “I will immediately resign if the Prime Minister or the PN ask me to but I will not do so when Dr Debono deems fit.”
He tore into Dr Debono for his continuous attacks on the Prime Minister and fellow Nationalist MPs, calling them “only a fickle attempt to compensate for an ambition he did not achieve”.
The attacks only strengthened Dr Gatt’s will to serve but Dr Debono, who had no understanding of loyalty, would find this stance difficult to understand, he said.
“We have been through far tougher times than those which Dr Debono is now seeking to create and we will still be there after Dr Debono’s tantrums have become a thing of the past – whether he will is exceedingly doubtful.”
(…)
23 Comments Comment
Reply to Saviour Click here to cancel reply
Hilarious! Franco covering his mouth so that no one can lip-read him. This man is seriously paranoid.
He was probably calling Daphne to finalise some arrangements for their upcoming marriage. Only Daphne can confirm or otherwise. Ejja, be honest Daphne; let the cat out of the bag and let us all know he was charming you with his sweet words.
He who laughs last, laughs best ! let us wait a bit longer and see who will laugh last, whether it will be Austin ” ghamilna pipi ” Gatt or Franco Debono.
Allow me to dedicate Frank Sinatra’s famous song ‘My Way’, especially the words : ” My friend, the end is near……” to Dr. Austin Gatt. He will be greatly missed by all those who tasted his Arriva fiasco, most of all ! And Franco, of course !!
Of course!!
Probably he wanted his mother to prepare paella instead of spaghetti for dinner…
U int fejn tifhem? It was ‘Ma, ghal ghada l-panty l-isfar ta’
‘Ghax dak jixraq mal-big pony isfar li ghandi fuq il-flokk il-blu…
Franco walked into the palace, filed his motion, (something he didn’t say he would do), proceeded to the comittee room, sat down, made that phone call, and left.
The opposition presented another two motions in the space of an hour.
JPO thought he was Joseph’s prodigal son, until yesterday.
He was probably calling Joseph or The Cocount to tell them he had done the deed – you can imagine the code “il-pitiross dahal fil-gagga”.
‘Roger, l-iljunfant telaq issa bit-taksijiet.’
I see the cock fighting, bird breeding, self-styled high achieving top student and top criminal lawyer is losing quite a bit up there – and I don’t just mean his hair.
Franco: “Ma…ibda sahhanli plis.”
Franco is a mummy’s boy, and JPO is a Busted Man.
Please take some time to watch this and the facial expressions of those present.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UxGLYvO3akM
JPO and Franco actually make Jesmond Mugliett look good.
When will this farce end?
All I can say is “Well done, Austin”.
John Bundy is giving all of us a treat this evening with Joseph Muscat as his guest of honour..
The last time I presented two motions in less than an hour it took three flushes to clear them.
5 + 5 = …… Debono ikompli jinhareq
Ghal Debono, 5+5 jaghmlu 10.
We have all been making a grave mistake. The best treatment is ignorance. i.e. ignore him!!