All's Well?

Franco Debono has made his first intervention in parliament since missing a vote before Christmas. The Times stresses “the government’s decision to bring into force provisions of a 2002 law on legal aid to people under arrest” and that MP Debono is pleased with this decision. It also reported the following:

Dr Debono said MPs had a right and a duty to ensure that they were able to convey their message on important matters in a way that was effective and proportionate. Independently of whoever was involved in bringing forward this proviso, Dr Debono said he was glad that it would be brought into force on February 10. Turning to the state of Parliament, Dr Debono said it was important that MPs enjoyed the facilities they needed to work effectively, and many changes could be made with only a little effort to give Parliament dignity and life. Certainly, the drawing up of reports should not drag on for months. Parliament should be the venue for the most important debate in the country because, constitutionally, the duty of Parliament was not only to legislate, but to oversee the Executive. It therefore should have the means to enable MPs to carry out their duties. MPs should have the resources to carry out research, and even speaking time should be reviewed. At this point the Speaker, Louis Galea, pointed out that the business before the House was a Bill to amend the Broadcasting Act.

Debono is crusading through his reconciliatory mood. Notwithstanding a clear effort to subdue the revolutionary image, he seems to want to persist with his convictions and seems to have opted for the parliamentary platform to push these ideas through. This fits well with his announced beliefs on parliamentary practice. J’accuse is fond of Debono’s line that the 80’s are no longer a basis of comparison. Simply because the situation is better than the “bottom of the barrel” politics we had in the decade of Mintoff and Mifsud Bonnici does not in any way mean that all is A.O.K. So Debono repeats this not once but twice – admittedly in the context of broadcasting but we can see the principle applied elsewhere. J’accuse has long harped on this issue of the race to mediocrity that is generally the result of a two-donkey race and we are glad that this theme has now reached the hallowed halls of the House.

Even though the subject of the debate yesterday was the Broadcasting Act, Franco managed to focus on political party stations and their regulation while also throwing in the issue of party financing. It’s a good start that will inevitably be watered down in time by the obstinacy (read survival instinct) of the current system. Franco might find that he has to use his bargaining power again before the end of this legislature. Whether his will power to use his trump card again will falter – given it’s expiry date (next election) and possible repercussion (failure to pass the polls) is something that remains to be seen. Right now all the silent reformist movement can hope is that Franco keeps hitting the iron while it is hot.