Being a Christian Democratic meant being conservative, liberal and radical, according to the circumstances,” Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this evening.
Closing the first session of the party’s general conference, Dr Borg, the PN’s deputy leader, said the party was liberal in policies, and conservative and radical according to the matter in hand.
It had been liberal and radical when it introduced measures removing injustices, he said.
Dr Borg said he was proud there were diverging opinions within the party, including on the issue of divorce.
The party was duty bound to make its position known but everyone had a free vote to choose according to their conscience.
Dr Borg said that while the party had to respect the people’s decision, it also had to respect those who voted against the introduction of divorce. This was why there was a group of the PN’s parliamentary group who were working on amendments to ensure a fair law that did not discriminate.
Party delegates called on the PN to adapt its values and principles to the changing reality of today’s society, with particular reference to the issue of divorce.
Sliema deputy mayor Cyrus Engerer said the way forward for the Nationalist Party was to adapt its strong values to society’s changes and realities, where everyone felt comfortable.
Justice Minsiter Carm Mifsud Bonnici quoted Tony Blair saying that “Values do not change but times do and now we have to apply changes according to our values”.
Edwin Vassallo, known for his staunch position against the introduction of divorce, said the popular vote did not reflect what was right for the country but refected people’s thoughts.
Even general secretary Paul Borg Olivier admitted, when opening the conference, that divorce had split the party saying that it was now the time for reconciliation.
He said the Nationalist Party respected the will of the electorate and accepted it. It proposed its values and policies without imposing them.
It was a party that was capable of being a unifying force and it wanted to remain the popular party which brought people, who did not always agree, together.
This was and remained the PN's formula which strengthened the country and these were the challenges the general council was facing.
Dr Borg Olivier said the divorce referendum had created social division and the party had the duty to now bring about social reconciliation.
Although it had taken a position on the issue, the party, in the most absolute manner, respected those who did not agree with it and guaranteed freedom of thought and action before and after the referendum.
It accepted the people's will and it was determined to keep all its members within it, in the most inclusive manner, even if they did not agree with the position it took.