Watch: Beppe Fenech Adami Criticises PN Leader For Leaving Three MPs Out Of His Shadow Cabinet
PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami has criticised Opposition Leader Bernard Grech for leaving three experienced MPs – Mario De Marco, Chris Said and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici out of his Shadow Cabinet.
“I think it was a mistake not to give these three people a spokesperson role,” Fenech Adami said when interviewed by Andrew Azzopardi on 103 Malta’s Heart this morning. “Obviously, there was logic behind that decision but I think it is a mistake not to talk highly about our legacy.”
“If the reason for leaving them out was for the PN to turn a new page and not give a role to people who had a Cabinet role in previous PN governments, then I think it was a mistake and I hope it is sorted.”
From left: Chris Said, Mario De Marco and Carm Mifsud Bonnici
Five days ago, former PN MP Franco Debono said that if the PN wants to progress, its first step should be to give roles to De Marco, Said and Mifsud Bonnici.
Fenech Adami urged his party not to succumb to the belief that PN politicians and activists who criticise the party are harming it.
“This is the mantra that the PL feeds us; whenever someone criticises the PN or isn’t perfectly in line with what the PN is saying, they are labelled as being part of some clique or fighting the party,” he said. “We can’t allow anyone to condition us, and we must understand that if a political party is to be victorious, it needs to be an umbrella and give everyone space. Obviously, there are no-nos but we must be a broad church as we once were.”
In the interview, Fenech Adami also said he hopes former PN MP Jason Azzopardi returns to the party, praising him for having “a lot of energy, extraordinary intelligence and dedication to work in favour of good governance”.
“I think those criteria warrant Jason Azzopardi having a place in the PN,” he said.
Questioned whether his loyalties lie with PN or the NGO Repubblika, he said he supports both entities.
“There were moments when the PN succumbed to the pressure imposed by PL, and its mantra that we are a negative party, a party of cliques and led by Repubblika,” he said. “The PL embarked on this narrative and I believe there was a time when people in PN thought they should distance themselves from that movement.”
“However, Repubblika managed to implement changes in the government three years ago and they are a large reason for why [former Prime Minister] Joseph Muscat is no more. It would be wrong for PN not to make the fight for good governance it’s own too.”
Would you like to see Mario De Marco, Chris Said and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici return to the Shadow Cabinet?
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