Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/825117
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 17 MAY 2017 News 8 JAMES DEBONO The charismatic family doc- tor and former independent mayor of Zebbug was one of Labour's star candidates in 2013 and was rewarded by 2,089 first count votes. After the election he was ap- pointed Health Minister. But after being publicly over-ruled and humiliated by the Prime Minister on a tent set up out- side the Emergency Depart- ment to serve as a reception area in case of an influx of influenza patients, Farrugia was removed from his post in a reshuffle which saw Kon- rad Mizzi take over the health ministry, paving the way for the partial privatisation of the sector. In January 2015 facing the first signs of dissent from Mar- lene Farrugia, Godfrey Farru- gia's partner, the former minis- ter was appointed whip of the parliamentary group, in what may well have been a preemp- tive move. For by appointing him in such a sensitive role Muscat was both confirming his trust in Farrugia but also exposing him to a conflict in- terest, that of having to choose between party discipline and his partner. Farrugia's tried and tested loyalty Unlike his partner Marlene, Godfrey Farrugia was reluc- tant to break with Muscat. As Labour whip he even voted in favour of the government in three successive no confi- dence votes presented by the PN in tandem with his part- ner, despite publicly expressing himself in favour of Konrad Mizzi's resignation. Farrugia did stand his ground in his role as Labour's last vocal social conservative but on its own his stance only served the diversity of views among Labour voters on contentious issues like eu- thanasia and embryo freezing. By showing loyalty towards the government even in diffi- cult times, Farrugia proved his loyalty to the party and kept the respect of the grass roots who elected him. While his partner Marlene burned her bridges with Muscat by setting up her own party and teaming with the PN opposition on a number of issues, Godfrey Far- rugia kept his bridges intact. It is Godfrey Farrugia's per- ceived loyalty towards the gov- ernment, which earned him the respect of Labour grass- roots, which has returned to haunt Muscat. It is Farrugia's past reluctance to cross the po- litical Rubicon, which makes his decision to resign from the party and contest with the Democratic Party under the PN, more devastating for Mus- cat. This perception was rein- forced by Farrugia's address at the PN mass meeting last Sunday in which the former Labour minister intelligently distinguished between what he described as the "fake" La- bour Party led by Muscat and the real Labour Party which he is representing in the national force. For his speech was not direct- ed at the Nationalists in front of him but towards Labourites angry at recent events, watch- ing him from home. He ex- plained that he was forced to decide simply because the PM had called an election a year ahead of time instead of us- ing this time to strengthen the party. Adressing himself to Labour- ites, he said that the Forza Nazzjonali would defend them and they had nothing to fear. A role model for Labourites? Surely the decision by God- frey Farrugia will be interpret- ed as a betrayal by a majority of Labour voters. But this may well not be the case among a category of disgruntled Labour voters who resent Muscat for retaining Mizzi and Schem- bri despite their ownership of companies in Panama. By re- cruiting Farrugia the PN has fi- nally managed to provide these Labour voters with a credible role role model, something that backfired in the case of Salvu Mallia. For unlike Mallia – a self professed switcher who expressed his anger against Labour in extreme and some- times rude language – Farrugia comes across as a soft-spoken conciliatory figure who is more motivated by principle than by anger. Moreover while Mallia distinguished himself from the PN by adopting a liberal stance on issues like abortion, Farru- gia reinforces the PN's more conservative orientation on this issue. This may well be the only drawback for the PN as it may reinforce its conservative image. But this may well be ob- scured by the party's endorse- ment of gay marriage. It is doubtful whether Farru- gia's high esteem in his home- town will be enough to get him elected on his district even if he may well bring with him a number of personal votes. In the PN camp, some 9,000 are up for grabs in this district as Lawrence Gonzi, Tony Ab- ela and Joe Cassar will not be contesting this time around. But Farrugia will also be facing competition from PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami and outgoing MP Antoine Borg. But it is the national im- pact of his candidature which may be the greatest impact. Labour's counter move Labour's reaction on the so- cial media was that of dimin- ishing Farrugia's stature, mak- ing him look like an unwilling victim of his partner's designs. Blogger Glenn Bedingfield asked "The Nationalists are happy with Farrugia, but is he happy?" Still while many La- bour supporters mocked Far- rugia, Muscat and other party spokespersons commented respectfully on Farrugia's deci- sion, thus giving a dignified re- sponse in the face of the blow. But in an apparent move to contrast Farrugia's candida- ture; a few hours later former Nationalist MP and Marlene Farrugia's former husband Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando pre- sented his candidature on the seventh district – the same district contested by Godfrey Farrugia. Unlike Godfrey Farrugia's candidature this did not come across as a shocker simply be- cause Pullicino Orlando had anchored himself to Labour since before the 2013 election. His candidature may well have been meant to diminish the impact of the Farrugia candi- dature, making the whole af- fair assume the look of a fam- ily saga or soap opera. But it also came at a cost, earning the party a rebuke from its former leader Alfred Sant (who had exposed Pullicino Orlando's interest in a dubious permit for a disco in a Natura 2000 site before the 2008 election). Sant's succinct reaction to Pul- licino Orlando's candidature was he would more gladly vote for Tal-Ajkla than for Labour's latest recruit. It is not Godfrey Farrugia's 2,089 first count votes in the 2013 election but his example to voters which is troubling Labour most Is Godfrey a game changer?