Where should the loyalty of MPs lie?

It is such a pity that Franco Debono did not make his views and reasons for his absence from Parliament known on that fateful night.

His action shocked everyone, especially his party's leadership, and even warranted a home visit by the Prime Minister.

The action was done for a very democratic and commendable reason and he should not have waited to answer George Bonello Dupuis's comments but he should have made the reasons for his action clear at the outset. His party should by now be very well aware that Dr Debono has gained the public's support and admiration.

He stood up for the common man, something that is foreign to local politics. It is far from correct to say that his political career is now in jeopardy.

We, the people who vote to elect the Members of Parliament, are only told that our vote matters during general election campaigns.

As soon the MPs are elected they forget that we elect them to represent us, the voters, and that from then on, they are meant to express the voters' thoughts in Parliament and speak out on behalf of their constituents and their constituencies.

However, as can be seen by this and other similar incidents, as soon as they speak their minds they are chastised by the political parties' hierarchies.

Is this the democracy that we so often hear being talked about and very seldom practised?