The success or failure of a move to introduce divorce legislation rests on the question asked in the referendum, according to a survey commissioned by The Sunday Times.
Fifty-eight per cent said they would support a proposal to introduce divorce for people who have been separated for four years.
On the other hand, the survey conducted by Misco International in the last week of February shows that 43 per cent would be in favour if the question was a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’, with 42 per cent against.
Though this is higher than the figure in a similar survey commissioned by this newspaper last August – which found 40 per cent favoured divorce while 45 per cent were against if a direct yes or no question was asked – it is within the margin of error and therefore too close to call.
But the survey also shows that more people (48 per cent) favour a yes or no referendum question, compared with those (46 per cent) who prefer one outlining certain circumstances when divorce would be possible.
According to the survey, 15 per cent are undecided on divorce but 60 per cent of these would vote ‘yes’ in a referendum that asks if they agree with divorce for people who have been separated and not living with their spouse for over four years.
The same referendum question would also convince 19 per cent of those who are against divorce to vote ‘yes’. As expected, 96 per cent of those who favour divorce would also support a proposal for divorce to be allowed after four years separation.
The Labour Party’s referendum motion in Parliament asks people to vote on the particular divorce proposal outlined in the Private Member’s Bill. The motion outlines the Bill’s key elements , notably the four-year time period that would have to lapse before separated individuals are allowed to obtain a divorce.
Although on a general level, support and opposition to divorce are neck and neck, it is clear that support for divorce depends on the type of legislation being proposed.
The survey also shows that Labour Party voters are more likely to favour divorce than Nationalist Party supporters. While 61 per cent of those who voted for the PL in the last general election favour divorce – a figure that rises to 78 per cent when asked the specific referendum question – a total of 39 per cent of PN voters are in favour.
The tide among PN voters shifts in favour of divorce when respondents are asked whether they agree with divorce after four years of separation. In this scenario, 50 per cent would vote ‘yes’ while 45 per cent would oppose divorce.
But irrespective of the question put and the outcome of the referendum, 88 per cent say that Parliament should abide by the result.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com