‘Stay on’, ‘You did the right thing’ – mixed reactions follow Fearne’s resignation
Comments under now former Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne’s resignation post on Friday showed an abundance of mixed reactions by the public.
Fearne received several comments of support and disappointment over his resignation, as well as comments of respect for showing great integrity, honesty and gentlemanliness for being the only one of the accused who resigned, and setting an example.
Others called for the resignation of the other individuals mentioned in the criminal charges last Monday. “That’s what gentlemanliness calls for. However, if you had to resign due to ulterior motives of others internally, they have the duty to carry the responsibility too”, one comment said.
Several were disappointed, describing Fearne as one of the few good Ministers left, “for Labour to maybe not remain as dirty as it is now”.
Some were just angry, saying that it was not right for Fearne to have had to set himself aside due to others’ partisan motives. Others said that Fearne has given them the satisfaction of resigning, possibly referring to the PN’s calls for his resignation.
Many comments thanked the former Deputy Prime Minister for his work and honesty, expressing that while they felt sorry for the decision he had made, they respected it. Many said that they did not agree with the resignation, and that the Prime Minister should not accept it.
Some said that the country still needed a man like Fearne, and that it was a pity he had resigned.
A few of the comments, while not the majority, said that Fearne should have resigned earlier, and that all those facing criminal charges should also follow.
Another comment said that, with him (Fearne) as Prime Minister, the country would have been in better hands.
Fearne had lost the Labour Party’s leadership election to Robert Abela back in January 2020, despite having been widely tipped as the favourite to succeed Joseph Muscat, who has also been charged.