PN free vote for divorce referendum motion

My position in favour of holding the referendum is consistent since no party has a mandate to introduce divorce - Gonzi

The Nationalist Party said today that should the Opposition move a motion in Parliament calling for a referendum on divorce, the Nationalist MPs would be granted a free vote to take their own decision.

Furthermore, if there was agreement on the question to be asked in the referendum, the Prime Minister would back such a motion in line with his position in favour of a referendum.

The PN said this statement was being issued in reply to questions in had received from the media on the subject

To date, its position had been that a referendum would be held only if the bill for the introduction of divorce was approved by Parliament.

The Labour Party is due to meet this afternoon to discuss its options for the holding of a referendum. It is considering moving a motion in Parliament for a divorce referendum to be held in all circumstances.

"My position in favour of holding the referendum is consistent since no party has a mandate to introduce divorce," Dr Gonzi said in today's surprise statement.

"If the Opposition, which was against the holding of a referendum, is now changing its position and wants a referendum instead of the Bill moved by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Evarist Bartolo, I will grant a free vote on this motion too," Dr Gonzi said.

"If the motion for the holding of a referendum includes a clear, specific and reasonable question to be asked in the referendum, I will vote in favour of it, so that, as I have consistently said, the decision will be taken by the people. However my position and that of the party remains against divorce," Dr Gonzi said.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that Dr Muscat had spoken against the holding of a referendum, having said that: “passing on the buck in a referendum would simply equate to a failure of leadership” (Times of Malta, 25 August 2008).

Editorial - Moving the goalposts in the divorce debate

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110214/opinion/editorial

Pullicino Orlando: It’s not about divorce but about democracy

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110214/letters/it-s-not-about-divorce-but-about-democracy