Interview: 'After one year, Labour had turned into a cult'

Former Labour minister Godfrey Farrugia speaks to Ivan Camilleri about his direct experience of power and why the Democratic Party has an important role to play in building a stronger Opposition. You have been in politics for a very long time. Decades ago you were the first independent mayor of Żebbuġ. What recollections do you have of that time and what pushed you into politics? I was an independent mayor and always believed that civic sense should come before polarisation of politics. I always believed and worked with the rest of the councillors and believed that a local council is a local government. Our priority at that time was to sow the seeds for a cultural regeneration based on voluntary work. During my two terms as mayor of Żebbuġ we made significant changes. We embellished the village core, restored Wied Qirda and organised the village. I always wanted to be accountable for taxpayers’ money and we didn’t leave a single euro – Maltese lira at the time – of debt. Like you, I’ve been around for quite some time, although in journalism. I remember Prime Minster Eddie Fenech Adami trying to convince you to become a PN MP, eventually a possible member of his Cabinet. Why did...