British author to write about Maltese Speaker

British author Matthew Laban will write about the role of the Maltese Speaker, currently occupied by Anglu Farrugia, in an upcoming new book about Speakerships in the Commonwealth.

This book will be a follow-up to his previous book “Mr. Speaker: The Office and the Individuals” that examines the way the Speakership of the British House of Commons has evolved through history.

In a meeting held with Laban, Farrugia spoke of a Bill whose passing will give Parliament full administrative autonomy from the government. Malta is currently the only EU country whose parliament lacks administrative autonomy.

This Bill also proposes the creation of a separate and fully independent television channel for Parliament. Farrugia said that plenary sessions will be streamed online once Parliament relocates to its new premises next to City Gate. Farrugia said that this will render Parliament more “transparent” to the public.

Despite his previous role as deputy leader of the Labour Party, Farrugia said that old party allegiances mean nothing to him in his new role as Speaker.

“When I attended a Speakers’ Conference, I was asked which political party I was a member of,” Farrugia said. “When I said that I am a neutral Speaker, I was told that I must be one of a rare breed.”

“Being a neutral Speaker gives me more moral authority,” Farrugia said.