We do not doubt the anti-abortion credentials of Opposition leader Alfred Sant. They are clear and very well known. We say this from the outset to put into context our comments on his attitude towards the Gift of Life foundation and its proposal to change the Constitution to include an anti-abortion clause.

Gift of Life is asking Parliament to change the wording of article 33 in the Constitution to read: "No person shall intentionally be deprived of his life from conception" to replace the part reading: "No person shall intentionally be deprived of his life save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence, under the law of Malta of which he has been convicted."

The campaign is more than two years old. The foundation has collected the signatures of 36,010 people who agree with the proposal to amend the Constitution. These were presented to the Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Opposition spokesman for justice Anglu Farrugia, among other MPs.

So far, 40 MPs from both parties have supported the foundation's cause - just four short of the required two-thirds majority needed to amend the Constitution.

A Government spokesman has said it would not propose any constitutional amendments without the Opposition's full agreement. However, the Labour Party has so far failed to take an official stand, and while several Labour MPs have shown their support, the party leadership is still undecided.

Dr Sant also has the right to be in favour or against the proposal. But it is high time that he decides one way or the other. It is unfair to leave the debate hanging. It shows indecision, which is not a good sign for a prime minister-in-waiting.