Some conservative members of the Nationalist Party regard the introduction of divorce on our watch, so to speak, as anathema. The arguments brought forth by traditionalists against the Divorce Bill which has been presented deserve closer scrutiny. We must reflect carefully before taking a position on this sensitive subject.

“Divorce is against the core values of the party.” A number of pro-divorce candidates have been accepted by the Executive Committee of the party to contest local, general and even MEP elections on the Nationalist Party ticket. This would not have been possible were it really the case that divorce was against our core values.

“Divorce is against the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Nationalist Party has always professed itself as being a Christian Democratic Party.” The Nationalist Party is a Christian Democratic Party. This does not make it an offshoot of the local Catholic Curia. It is also worth noting that the government is in the process of formulating legislative measures with regard to cohabitation. Cohabitation is against the teachings of the Catholic Church. I fail to understand why the people who are making such a fuss about divorce didn’t do so when we were speaking about cohabitation. Fr Rene Camilleri, one of the Archbishop’s closest advisers, recently said that he prefers divorce legislation to legislation promoting cohabitation as some form of second-class marriage. He stated, and I quote: “At least through divorce the state is saying that it still believes in the institution of marriage.” This is exactly why the slogan IVA għad-divorzju, IVA għaż-żwieġ (Yes to divorce, yes to marriage) was chosen by the pro-divorce legislation movement I form part of. It is unwise to introduce legislation which promotes cohabitation in the absence of divorce.

“Marital breakdowns will increase with the introduction of divorce.” The rate of marital breakdown in Ireland, which for over 10 years has had a divorce law practically identical to the one which has been presented locally, is significantly lower than it is in Malta. No one in his right mind would leave his or her spouse simply because divorce is available. Anyone who says this is insensitive to the suffering which accompanies broken relationships.

“Divorce has profound and negative consequences on children.” This statement is absolutely true. So does separation and annulment. Ask any child who has gone through the trauma of seeing his mother and father go their separate ways if he cares whether they did so by means of an annulment, divorce or separation. Are we suggesting that we should legislate against separation and annulment?

“Divorce only benefits the individual; it is against the common good.” This is untrue as legislation which only allows divorce in cases where a relationship has broken down irrevocably will allow for the contractual formalisation of new relationships by means of marriage. It is hard to understand how this can run counter to the “common good”. Saying this is tantamount to a declaration against the institution of marriage. Apart from that, this kind of reasoning smacks of a paternalistic, detached attitude which is surely not what a popular party should be all about. Using the excuse of the common good is reminiscent of dictatorial regimes which trample upon the rights of individuals.

I agree with the Prime Minister that this will be a groundbreaking social development and that it should be decided upon by the people in a referendum which is to be held later this year. The last referendum held, that for EU membership, imposed the decision of the IVA vote on those who were against membership. This time around a vote in favour of divorce will not impose anything on anyone. Those who do not need or are against divorce are obviously not obliged to avail themselves of it. On the other hand, however, I strongly believe that those who are against divorce should not impose their beliefs on those who need it.

The Nationalist Party is at a crossroads. I sincerely hope we take the right path. Thousands of our compatriots are depending on us to do so. If we continue to ignore their suffering, the injustice they have been exposed to due to years of procrastination, they will turn their backs on us when the time of reckoning comes.

I know that we will make the right choice.