The Labour Party has denied claims by Nationalist Party exponents that its MPs are being forced to vote yes on the divorce Bill in Parliament, although it has advised that a yes vote or abstention is “preferable”.
Labour leader Joseph Muscat will remain “consistent on his position” that MPs should vote “according to conscience”, a Labour spokesman told The Times.
“Dr Muscat expressed his view in the press conference after the result was announced that in order for the will of the people to be respected, a vote in favour or an abstention would be preferable.”
So far it is clear that Labour MP Adrian Vassallo will vote no regardless of the party’s advice, while MP Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca will abstain. Both MPs, however, have said they do not think they will contest the next election as candidates of the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, some other MPs have not yet declared how they would vote.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi criticised Dr Muscat for not allowing his MPs to vote freely and using “the language of threats” against those who were not comfortable voting Yes.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has insisted that its position, or lack thereof, on divorce, does not need to change. This statement comes as Dr Muscat recently put pressure on the PN to change its anti-divorce stand to reflect the will of the people following the referendum.
Asked whether the Labour Party should not adopt a stand that favoured divorce legislation, the spokesman said Labour’s position “is consistent”.
“It does not need to change because it reflects the reality of our society and does not impose on its supporters and followers.
“It is the PN that has an anachronistic position with an official position against divorce when the people voted otherwise. The PN should adjust their policy to reflect the reality after the referendum.”
Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party had not yet said whether it would change its stand.
Sources said this was something brought up during last Monday’s parliamentary group meeting where the Prime Minister acknowledged that this was something to consider eventually but not just yet.
The Labour Party never took an official stand on divorce but Dr Muscat campaigned fervently in its favour.
Before he became leader of his party he promised to give his MPs a free vote on the matter and said he would present a Private Member’s Bill on divorce as Prime Minister.