Editorial • 27 April 2003

To leave or not to leave? That is the question

It has to be in our character. Where else do you read that someone resigns and then reconsiders his resignation?

Years back it was the Prime Minister Edward Fenech Adami, some days ago it was Labour leader Alfred Sant, this week was the General Workers’ Union Secretary General Mr Tony Zarb. All have something in common; their decisions or intention to resign was, to put it mildly, a farce.

It has not only been politicians that have found it difficult to climb down from their ivory towers and accept the responsibilities and face the realities.

When former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and former Judge Patrick Vella were accused of some very serious crimes linked to bribes by an imprisoned drug trafficker, they hung on to their posts.

It was only after a general public outcry that the two men resigned but not without giving the impression in their parting letter that somewhere somehow they were honourable men.

When former Police Commissioner George Grech made a fool of himself and the police force he refused to even consider the word resignation.

Only after he entertained the whole of Island in court with his sex escapades, was he finally forced to accept the inevitability of resigning.

When Mario Camilleri l-Imniehru implicated in bribing the two former judges was given leave and returned to Kordin drunk and what not, the prison director shrugged off calls to step down and his minister said the matter was not his for considering.

The pro-Nationalist media which at time takes itself too seriously and prides itself on its independent role, failed to ask Dr Edward Fenech Adami if he would resign in 1996 after losing an election.

In 1998 and 2003, with Alfred Sant left holding the candle the media simply could not wait to ask the golden question.

Some silly journalist last week went as far in asking Harry Vassallo whether he would resign, because of the party’s electoral result.

It is not only Malta that suffers fools. But then again, our small size and bizarre way of doing things makes it less sad and more than just hilarious.

Public figures should do us a very big favour and stop wasting our time.

There have been some assertive people who have respect for themselves and what is right and wrong.

Dr Micallef Stafrace who resigned as minister in the Mintoff government was one, and to a lesser extent Lino Spiteri was another.

Dr Charles Mangion, was yet another and Lino Gauci Borda and Lawrence Gatt also.

We must start meaning what we say and doing what we say we will do. And we must stop treating the general public as one extensive gathering of imbeciles without the ability to think or make decisions.