Founder and co-owner of MaltaToday, Saviour Balzan has reported on Maltese politics and...
Dear PM, where is your high moral ground?
If Gonzi was the real moral crusader he says he is, and I have long believed he is not, he should have supported the forced resignation of Marmarà.
Well, what caught my eye was Lawrence Gonzi's frivolous comments to NET journalist Josianne Camilleri. I remember her in my days at the Independent. Nice girl, but somehow she now simply does what she is told to do. I guess the word for these media workers is “do-as-I-tell-you-ists”.
Gonzi had a great interpretation for the forced resignation of Darren Marmara the young 29-year-old Labour mayor -the man who likened himself to Lorry Sant. The PM’s interpretation was that since the man supported Michael Falzon in the leadership he was a natural calamity of the Muscat ruthless elimination process. Frankly put, I would have preferred anyone to Michael Falzon. I have yet to see such a conservative, sensitive and limited politician. But that is not the point.
There is no evidence of ethnic cleansing in the Labour party. On the contrary. There is an attempt to change new faces with Nationalist stooges such as Marisa Micallef but ethnic cleansing no. If this was the case, why would Muscat appoint Lydia Abela – the daughter in law of George Abela – as executive secretary. For the looks I guess, because when it comes to political acumen and experience – I am afraid I am still digging.
And who can blame Muscat, if he replaced Jason Micallef? I would. Any day. Or does Gonzi want Micallef instead of Borg Olivier?
It could be that Micallef could do a better job! Muscat is so interested in winning the next election, that he is willing to embrace everyone, even individuals such as Silvio Scerri 'tan-Nexos', the same man I remember canvassing for Ugo Mifsud Bonnici years back, and the same man who ‘partners’ up with Lou Bondi in business ventures.
Now, I am not suggesting that Muscat is a 35-year-old teletubby without teeth, but for heaven’s sake Gonzi’s interpretation is an invention created simply to stir up shit. Yes shit, because with all due respect, his analysis is an intentional lie, and a shitty one at that.
What Gonzi did not say, is that Darren Marmara ignored financial rules and did as he pleased and more that he was in cahoots with the Nationalists and yes as MaltaToday had reported with good old Chalie Bonello his right hand man, a PN councillor on the Fgura council and a member of his PM secretariat. Darren Marmara should never have been in politics. He is not fit for purpose.
But it is rich coming from Gonzi, to be told that some other politician seeks to eliminate those who were linked to his political adversaries.
For here is a man who allowed his acolytes to work day and night to eradicate all those who in some way were linked to John Dalli, his leadership contender. Here is a man who does not tolerate dissidence or only wishes to be surrounded by yes men. The Tonio Fenech and George Pullicino types. I could go on.
If Gonzi was the real moral crusader he says he is, and I have long believed he is not, he should have supported the forced resignation of Marmara. But like all politicians of the blue, red and green hue the end justifies the means and is determined by the political mileage one gains from one’s actions.
Gonzi should be careful with his words and next time he wants to be interviewed, instead of inviting a parrot or a faithful soldier to question him, I suggest he asks me to come along.
I am sure he would love to answer my questions.
Then I do not expect to be invited by either of them. Neither Muscat or Gonzi love to be grilled by ‘journalists.’ They prefer to have their notes thrown back at them by party ‘do-as-I-tell-you-ists.’ Both politicians are petrified of having to answer the pertinent questions.
The truth is not on their agenda.
 
                 
     
                        
- 
                            
                                
                                    .png)  
 
                                    
                                        National
                                         Equality Commission slams 'misogynistic discourse' of public figure given PBS slot
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        National
                                         Alex Borg’s leadership campaign cost €41,000
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Court & Police
                                         Two men denied bail after targeting elderly in Mġarr and Għaxaq
                                    
                                 
 
More in News- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Business News
                                         European Central Bank agrees to move to next phase of digital euro
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Business News
                                         Db Group’s €33 million bond fully subscribed
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Business News
                                         HSBC Malta financial results for Q3 2025 show resilient performance with strong customer engagement
                                    
                                 
 
More in Business- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Other Sports
                                         Pembroke Athleta Gymnastics brings home 48 medals from UK competition
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Football
                                         Maya Lucia joins Cypriot Apollon Ladies
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Football
                                         Hibernians FC terminates Justin Haber contract after guilty verdict in sexual harassment case
                                    
                                 
 
More in Sports- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Art
                                         Audiovisual exhibition Misophonia to premiere at Spazju Kreattiv
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Cultural Diary
                                         My essentials: Alison Agius’s cultural picks
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Books
                                         Noah Fabri | I am drawn to realism as a genre and form
                                    
                                 
 
More in Arts- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Opinions
                                         A leaner path to justice | Veronique Dalli
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Opinions
                                         Condominium administrators, unprotected landlords and laws with loopholes
                                    
                                 
 
- 
                            
                                
                                      
 
                                    
                                        Editorial
                                         Budget 2026 | Budget boon for families but will it lead to baby boom?
                                    
                                 
 
More in Comment