Lou Bondi versus the web

It started off with the controversial deal with the Chinese company who agreed to carry out a feasibility study on a bridge linking Malta and Gozo for free and ended with the transfer of Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Owen Bonnici from Manuel Mallia's mega ministry to the Prime Minister's Office.

However, the cherry on the cake goes to Muscat's decision to pick television presenter Lou Bondi - renowned for his dislike of the Labour Party thanks to his television programmes - on the newly set up Foundation for Maltese National Festivities. Not only did the decision irk diehard Labourites for whom Bondi represented all that was wrong with successive PN governments, but the decision also caused an uproar among voters who voted Labour for the first time ever.

Maltatoday.com.mt and social media sites were inundated with messages of bewilderment, anger and utter disbelief.

Although the decision caused such angry reactions, this could yet turn out to be another political masterstroke by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who neutralised the criticism levelled at the plethora of appointments made in the first 100 days in office, which were predominantly dished out to Labourites and Labour-sympathisers.

With many doubting the authenticity of Labour's 'Malta Taghna Lkoll' ('Malta for all') rallying cry, Bondi's appointment flies in the face of all critics and is a clear attempt to legitimise the government's controversial appointments such as former PL secretary-general Jason Micallef at the helm of the Valletta 2018 Foundation.

Unexpectedly, Labour MEP Joseph Cuschieri was among the most vociferous critics, describing Lou Bondi's appointment as a "shameful decision" and an "open challenge" to people of good will.

In a comment posted on his Facebook wall, MEP Joseph Cuschieri wrote: 'Lou Bondi's appointment on the board of a new foundation responsible for the organisation and coordination of national festivities, is a shameful decision. It's an open challenge - SFIDA - to Maltese and Gozitans of good will.'

Bondi was appointed on the Foundation for Maltese National Festivities, which falls under the Prime Minister's responsibility.

Cuschieri, who in 2008 had stepped down as an MP to allow Labour leader Joseph Muscat to sit in Parliament, asked: 'Who is behind this appointment? Who is so powerful to roll over Labourites like a bulldozer? What brings certain individuals together to scratch each other's backs? Certainly not the Malta Taghna Lkoll slogan'.

Former Labour minister Joe Grima also joined in the chorus of disapproval by describing the decision as "masochistic".

Describing Bondi as a "scrap", Grima asked whose idea it had been to put the presenter on the national festivities foundation.

"Let's not have any illusions. This is not a new way of doing politics. This is masochism the like of which not even Alfred Sant, who lost four times, managed to display."

Tens of MaltaToday readers commented on a number of online reports on Bondi's appointment, with some going as far as claiming that they would not be voting Labour again.

One reader wrote: 'Three days later and I still feel like throwing up at the thought that Lou will be representing all of us Maltese at National Festivities. They should be boycotted by all people of good will.'

Another commented '@the labour party, I just want to tell you that from my family you lost 11 votes.'

Others described the decision as Muscat's biggest mistake, with a reader saying: 'I hope this is not the continuation of the last 5 years. I changed my vote to see change and all I am seeing is MORE OF THE SAME!'

Surprisingly one of the persons who defended the decision was former Nationalist MP and current Law Commissioner Franco Debono, who said the country was in dire need of reconciliation.

Debono, who was a harsh critic of Bondi's television programmes before the March general election and who had given one of his most memorable performances on Bondi's show, said: "I congratulate Lou Bondi on his appointment. What happened, happened. One has to look forward in life and although no one should abuse their position, everyone's talent should be utilised."