Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat wants the divorce debate to be centred on how best to introduce the civil right rather than watered down into a simplistic "for or against" discussion.
"I am not in favour of all kinds of divorce," he said, referring to certain states in the US where the issue is taken very lightly. Instead, he believed in a system which allowed reconciliation and took into account the protection of children.
He said the party's position was clearly and consistently in favour of the family and politicians could not look the other way when faced with family breakdown.
"Divorce is not something people do for the fun of it. It is about offering hope and a way out of misery... giving another chance to people rather than keeping them locked up and throwing away the key."
He did not say whether the decision should be taken by referendum or a parliamentary vote but emphasised the need to allow whoever the decision-makers would be to vote freely, based on their own conscience.
Dr Muscat reiterated his pledge to introduce a Private Member's Bill on the subject once elected Prime Minister and give his MPs a free vote.
He acknowledged, however, that "a situation" had now arisen with Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando presenting such a Bill before him and the Prime Minister now having to address the matter.
Dr Muscat was interviewed on One Radio by a Union Print journalist who enquired about the ongoing restructuring discussions of Air Malta and the dubious future of STMicroelectronics.
Labour in government would not feel bound to any commitments undertaken by this government to undermine or sell the national airline. Air Malta had never depended on government subsidies and it had given a valuable contribution to the economy.
The root of the problems it faced now, he said, were major strategic errors made in the past, including the purchase of RJ-70 aircraft and the setting up of AzzurAir, which had absorbed millions of euros.
Regarding ST Microelectronics, Dr Muscat said workers should listen to their representatives and consider the long-term effects of their decisions.
ST workers are being urged to accept austerity measures which they have so far refused.
Dr Muscat said workers were expecting better conditions simply because they were struggling to make ends meet, primarily because of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his insistence to keep raising utility tariffs.
Malta had EU prices but non-EU wages. Dr Muscat hit out at the steep increases in gas prices and said the Malta Resources Authority had still not explained how the government seemed to have been informed of its workings before they were publicly announced.
He referred also to the refund scheme on photovoltaic panels, which was suspended because of irregularities and said it was interesting that the whole scheme was stopped but when it came to more serious irregularities where millions of euros, not thousands, were at stake, such as with the Delimara power station extension, things were allowed to continue.