The dreaded ministry many didn’t want

Any senior government official will agree there are ministries MPs dream of having, and others they dread.

And sources close to cabinet discussions said that when Robert Abela sat down to assemble his new cabinet this week, one of the latter portfolios posed a particular challenge: home affairs.

The ministry oversees some of the country’s most sensitive institutions, including the police, the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department, which means the minister must deal with some of the country’s most pressing issues in security, migration, law enforcement and public order.

Incumbent Byron Camilleri enjoyed a reputation for having largely performed well. Trust in the police is up, crime rates are down, and all murders which happened during his tenure were solved.

But it is no secret that he had been seeking a move away from the ministry he has held since February 2022. He even offered his resignation following the massive AFM heist last year, but Abela insisted he should stay on. And he did.

But after last weekend’s Labour victory, Abela and Camilleri agreed the 38-year-old Fgura MP would move to education and sports – a transfer that created a gaping vacancy in one of the most demanding and dreaded portfolios.

Glenn Bedingfield then succeeded him, surprising many by making the unlikely leap from parliamentary secretary for public cleanliness to home affairs minister.

Sources familiar with the cabinet discussions said there was broad recognition within Labour ranks that home affairs was one ministry many of those elected did not dare touch.

“Whatever you do, you will get attacked,” one source said.

“If you’re dealing with migration issues, you’ll be criticised by the right-wingers on one hand, or by humanitarian organisations on the other.”

Another source said it is tough because “there are problems wherever you look”.

“You almost never get good news in that ministry,” they said. “Every day you’re faced with crime, crises, and people in critical conditions.”

Sources described the role as one that requires resilience and a willingness to take unpopular decisions.

“This is a post where it’s harder to favour constituents because that could be dangerous. Actually, some of the decisions you take could end up hurting your own constituents,” one insider said.

Political observers noted that, furthermore, unlike most other ministries, the Home Affairs Ministry offers few opportunities to make political mileage. On the contrary, history has shown it could prove politically damaging.

In 2012, Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigned after losing a parliamentary vote of confidence. Manuel Mallia was forced to step down in 2014 by then-prime minister Joseph Muscat following a shooting incident involving his driver less than two years into his term.

Carmelo Abela subsequently took over the portfolio, though his responsibilities were altered after the 2017 election.

Michael Farrugia’s tenure was dominated by the fallout from the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia before the ministry was reassigned following Robert Abela’s rise to power in 2020.

Enter Bedingfield

Times of Malta could not independently confirm reports that the post was declined by at least two individuals before Bedingfield’s appointment.

But there was a hard-working, loyal man who was willing to accept it. Bedingfield, a lawyer and former journalist, was among the candidates who worked the hardest during the campaign to rally the grassroots Labour vote and bring back disgruntled voters to the party.

Sources say he was ever-loyal, cooperative and willing to help with anything to see Labour emerge victorious again, and in the counting hall on Sunday, he was visibly emotional.

He also performed very well in his district and was somewhat ambitious for more responsibility after serving as parliamentary secretary for cleanliness.

Sources said all this meant Abela owed him a bigger portfolio that Bedingfield was willing to accept. It was a deal that worked for both sides.

“But the role also requires someone with very thick skin. Glenn needs to show character if he’s going to survive this,” one insider said.

Another source expressed concern about the challenges awaiting the new minister, especially when dealing with the police force.

“I hope Glenn has the right people around him because he’s going to need them,” the source said.

Bedingfield did not reply to questions sent by Times of Malta.