Just a day after losing the candidature of anti-divorce MP and party stalwart Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the Labour Party has recruited pro-divorce lobbyist Deborah Schembri as a candidate for the next general election.
Dr Schembri made the surprise announcement on the television discussion programme Xarabank on Friday night, days after the majority voted in favour of divorce in a referendum, to the delight of her Labour-leaning fans and the dismay of those who wanted her to remain politically untainted.
Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said he was not surprised that she opted to enter the political fray. However, he expressed regret that she did not feel comfortable joining the PN, “especially as she comes from a staunch Nationalist family”.
He said Dr Schembri informed him of the decision shortly before announcing it on air.
“She is a fantastic person, positive, energetic and kind-hearted,” the Nationalist MP added.
Dr Schembri said she had never previously considered becoming a politician. She only joined the divorce movement after an invitation from Dr Pullicino Orlando, after the two met during another episode of Xarabank two months ago.
Speaking on radio yesterday morning, Dr Schembri said she would be a candidate for the 12th district (her hometown is St Paul’s Bay) and another, as yet undecided, district.
At the last election, the Labour Party managed to elect two MPs from the traditionally Nationalist district: pro-divorce campaigner Evarist Bartolo and deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia. With Dr Schembri, the PL is hoping to win a third seat.
Dr Schembri said she had not been approached by the PN, but even if she had she would have opted for Labour.
Asked why her decision was taken so speedily, Dr Schembri said she always took decisions quickly after some reflection, as she had done when she decided to join the divorce movement.
She said she felt she had something to offer society, even nationally, but now it was up to the people to decide whether she should.
Meanwhile, Ms Coleiro Preca has refused to expand on the reasons behind her decision to announce she will not contest the next general election.
“I have said what I have to say and I have no further comments to make,” she said when contacted by The Sunday Times. She also refused to reply to comments made by a Labour spokesman on Friday saying the party would welcome her back as a candidate if she were to reconsider.