May 28, 2011 was indeed a memorable day. On that glorious day the Maltese, or rather 53 per cent of 72 per cent of them, have unmistakeably demonstrated that, as one correspondent from Mosta put it, Malta is about to enter a new era. According to this gentleman, “the Church will no longer be able to brainwash those who are willing to listen...” Malta has at long last joined the rest of the world. It has truly gained its independence and confirmed once and for all that freedom of action will prevail whatever the Church says. Thanks to the wisdom and determination of those 53 per cent of 72 per cent, mature men and women are now completely free to go back on their word solemnly given before God and man and start a new relationship, even two or more should their longed-for hopes fail to materialise for whatever reason.

Thanks to the law, which would be approved by the majority of our Christian MPs (not our representatives on this issue, which was never even mentioned let alone promised before the election), children will have more than one mother or father and more grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Photographers and camera persons, fashion designers and catering establishments, not to mention lawyers, are in for a bumper time as more unions will be celebrated. It is indeed the beginning of a new era, which should long be famous in history. I therefore humbly propose that May 28 be declared another national day. Perhaps a set of stamps featuring Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Evarist Bartolo, Deborah Schembri, Michael Falzon and Joseph Muscat should be issued and, why not, a monument erected in some prominent place, perhaps in front of the Mdina Cathedral or on the Islets at St Paul’s Bay.

Cheer up Malta! The chains of slavery and despotism have finally been broken. This dear island will soon be one big happy variety of families. A new era has indeed begun.