I presented the Private Member’s Bill proposing the introduction of divorce just over six months ago. The Prime Minister and leader of my party, Lawrence Gonzi, initially openly expressed his disapproval. Although he is still adamantly against divorce, as is his right, he has now declared he is glad this subject will finally be discussed.
Dr Gonzi was the first person to suggest the issue was too vital to be decided upon by the 69 representatives of the people in Parliament. Such a decision should be taken by the electorate. I was, I will admit, initially against this. After discussing the issue with him, however, I came round to his way of thinking.
Opinion polls have shown the vast majority of the Maltese agree there should be a divorce referendum. Both those for and those against divorce are in favour of having one. Moviment Żwieġ Mingħajr Divorzju chairman Andrè Camilleri has gone on record saying he believes the public should be consulted about the subject. I agree.
I never expected the Nationalist Party’s executive committee to come out with a pro-divorce resolution. However, I and a lot of other committee members, even those who are unwaveringly against divorce, are concerned the double hurdle that has now been placed before the divorce Bill may lead to it never being presented to the people for approval when they have been led to believe so. This smacks of Machiavellianism.
I and, I am sure, many of my parliamentary colleagues on both sides of the divide in the divorce debate will find it hard to accept this.
There are those who are probably satisfied at the turn of events. Bullies who use threats and personal attacks to try to get their way while posing as paladins of Catholicism and hypocrites who would have us believe they are fighting for “Catholic values” while trying to force up to 35,000 of their compatriots to effectively resort to something akin to bigamy.
I am sure the vast majority of my colleagues will want to give them a very clear message. It’s not about divorce anymore.
It’s about democracy.