It is not so much the fact that they are inept, totally out of place in the national assembly and, in many cases, mediocre that is disconcerting; it is rather the realisation that many members of government have no idea to what extent they actually are. How else would you explain the eagerness with which they pushed through with a bill which has just exposed their inadequacy and ignorance live to the whole nation?

Of course, the decision to allow live broadcast of parliamentary debates has nothing to do with the government’s belief that the population deserves a bit more democracy than what is currently dished up to us. Rubbis, as our minister mentor said about our articles. Total rubbis! If they were that keen to introduce more transparency, they would start by implementing some very simple measures which even banana republics can no longer run away from. Like a freedom of information bill or simply answering the questions put to them through journalists and members of the opposition. They could show their belief in transparency by letting institutions run independently instead of having at their head yes-men, many of whom are members of the ruling party and not qualified for the jobs they are handsomely paid for from the public purse. Or they would simply stop running the country as if it were their own kitchen.

They could also perhaps stop being publicly and selectively ‘shocked’ by the extent of the ambient corruption and nepotism nurtured by their own laissez-aller. Vijaya Sumputh suddenly shocks because her protector is now deadwood. Mike Seetaramadoo doesn’t! Who would dare?

Alternatively, they could keep a few promises like introducing a declaration of assets bill to mitigate their greed and voracity. A private television to put an end to the shameless propaganda that could teach North Korea a thing or two. But no, perish the thought! Let’s have a big hoo-ha about live broadcast to promote a non-elected prime minister and carry on with all the revolting things we are doing.

An own goal as it turned out and a sad moment for government MPs, particularly the new prime minister. As ‘unaware’ and ‘not sure’ as his father was every time serious issues are raised, Jugnauth Junior unconvincingly waded through the PNQ. Inarticulate, ill-prepared and at times unable to read what was prepared for him when debating the no-confidence motion against the speaker, he compounded that by sniggering at his opponents who had left by then, after what many citizens on social media qualified as an excellent performance.

As the people of this country sat in front of their screens on Tuesday, to listen to the debate on the no-confidence motion in parliament, despondent and wondering what on earth they did to deserve the mediocrity which has been inviting itself into their living rooms, two good things came out: First, the sudden realisation that even when you think you have hit rock bottom in mediocrity and lack of professionalism, Lepep always manages to convince you that there is worse. The new deputy speaker has introduced new ominous standards as he listened carefully when both the prime minister and his father lectured to him about how to conduct business in the House! One could almost hear them whisper, “You still don’t get it, do you? This is not about impartiality and fairness. It is about making the prince fit in the king’s shoes.”

The second good thing is that the opposition, which wobbled in in disunity and calling each other names, sauntered out as one. And that is a great achievement for democracy. Perhaps Deputy Speaker Sanjeev Teeluckdharry deserves a thank you note from the opposition. And a box of home-packaged biscuits from the speaker.

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