my (“non-political”) experience of lydia is that she is a nice person, and that is not only based on her voice.

[Daphne – Well, we’re talking politics here, darling. Nobody really cares about the rest because it isn’t relevant.]

i may be completely wrong in your opinion, but in my opinion his father can do no more than ask him to stop it – I am sure he cannot “force” him to do so. that said, I agree that robert should not talk in a way that embarrasses the post occupied by his father.

[Daphne – You’re wrong. His father can say ‘If you don’t stop that, I shall have to resign. And if you don’t stop insulting the man who put me in this privileged position and made it possible for you to have the run of Verdala Castle and San Anton Palace with your babies and your plaques, then I SHALL resign.’ But we’re talking about two ill-bred people here, so they just won’t get it. I’ve revised my opinion of George Abela dramatically since he became president. This sort of behaviour is appalling.]

Gonzi never said intelligent. He said experienced. And with only one airline in Malta, it is a logical conclusion that one can only find an experienced CEO outside of Malta. All other top managers are Maltese.

Trust Tyrrell to say something so stupid and to mix up experience with intelligence. Though, coming to think of it, if he uses his leader as his yardstick, we might have to forgive him the confusion.

He’ll have to miss some dirty parties. We have ministers who hardly have time to have dinner with their families let alone dance the night away.

I knew several of them well. Sooner or later they had to abandon their impossible dream as a hopeless mission impossible.

Some persist to this very day but it doesn’t say much for their intelligence and their ability to learn anything from the bitter lesson of our history.

Next question to ask is whether Joseph exploited the young Abela’s position precisely to be able to position/ manoeuvre George Abela out once and for all.

Those around him should be asking him who he already made a pact with for President and what he has already been given in return.

How many others besides Anglu aren’t in the know, and who exactly is directing Joseph in authoring his mille foglie of lies, deceit and heads on the block?

I wouldn’t put Jason in number one position here.

Besides those already rubbished, I would have a good look – and talk with – at on the one hand at those within Labour’s several folds who steered clear of Joseph in the past and also those who weren’t to be found when decision time was at hand, and ask more pointed questions.

On the other hand I would have an even better look at those non-forefront behind-the-scenes advisors who Joseph befriended in the past, on Mintoff’s instructions, and has reapproached on a one-to-one basis since 2009.

Those who have been on the sidelines since modern time immemorial.

Just as with the untenable situation brought about by Franco and Co’s dance for attention, The Prime Minister has once again shown long-term vision in his affirmation, at this moment in time, standing by his decision to nominate George Abela for President and thereby opt for unity.

That, was no lenient decision but again a responsible one.

But it is one that Joseph has decided he could ‘play’ with, with little thought as to the havoc wrecked to the personal and public lives of those involved. I believe we have another of Joseph’s heads on the block.

And these are the guys on his side.

Daphne, that is the most cogent comment I have read in all my more than 20 years on the island. Says it all. Nuff said.

You’re too kind asking for their age. 40? Maybe it is more exact to say 50.

I also do not believe that Gorg ABela had any Damascus conversion about EU membership. He worked against EU membership in 1996 and was Sant’s advisor when the latter froze the EU application. His political beleifs are anti-European. He appeared to be in favour of the EU, but he was not – he was simply anti-Sant.

I still believe that his appointment was Gonzi’s biggest mistake. He gave credibility to a politician that did not warrant it. His shhepish image is just pure PR, like his trip to Peru.

In the early nineties, before his departure from Malta, the national team’s former coach Horst Hesse, had strong words on Gorg Abela (then MFA president)and on his style of leadership / management, which was alien to a European coach. This interview was carried in a newspaper (I believe it was Alternattiva or TMIS).