The Private Member’s Bill on divorce before Parliament is only likely to be put before the people in a referendum if sceptical Labour MPs vote in favour.
Yesterday a third Nationalist MP, Jesmond Mugliett, also indicated he could vote in favour of the Bill, joining another two within his parliamentary group.
A poll carried out by TheSunday Times among 67 of the 69 MPs (the remaining two could not be contacted) shows at least four Labour MPs declaring themselves against divorce in principle, which means the Bill – on which the referendum hinges – is unlikely to be approved.
However, Labour MPs Carmelo Abela and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who oppose divorce, said they were firm believers in letting the people decide in a referendum. They did not rule out voting in favour of the Bill if this was the only path leading to a referendum.
Mr Abela said such a sensitive subject should have gone through a referendum first, before the debate in Parliament.
“MPs should vote after the people have decided – we need to listen to the electorate. If the only option of going to a referendum is to vote in favour of the Bill then I’m not ruling out anything,” he said, adding that the problems relationships faced remained, with or without divorce, and these should be addressed.
Ms Coleiro Preca said: “I want a referendum – I am viewing this Bill as an obstacle towards this end. We don’t have the mandate and we don’t have the right to impose our beliefs on society.”
Labour colleagues Stefan Buontempo and Justyne Caruana were less categorical and although they voiced their opposition to divorce they remained noncommittal as to how they would vote in Parliament.
However, Labour sources said the party was encouraging its MPs against divorce to vote in a way that would pave the way for a referendum.
Two other Labour MPs, Joe Debono Grech and Silvio Parnis, who in the past declared themselves against divorce citing personal beliefs, were even less clear. Mr Debono Grech said curtly he would make his position known when the time was right, while Mr Parnis said he was “still studying” the best option for the family and the state.
Only one Labour MP, Adrian Vassallo, proclaimed he would vote against divorce.
“I am against divorce and even if a consultative referendum is carried out and all of Malta votes in favour, if asked in Parliament I would still vote against – my principles will not shift. The only way I will change my mind is if Jesus Christ comes down and tells me to vote in favour,” he said.
Just six Labour MPs, including party leader Joseph Muscat who had proposed submitting a Private Member’s Bill in 2008, gave a clear yes.
Surgeon Anthony Zammit said: “I will vote in favour, provided there are proper safeguards in place to guarantee the welfare of children.
“You don’t abolish cake shops because there is a person who is diabetic. I am a Catholic and won’t make use of divorce but I cannot deny the right to people who are not, or do not wish to follow the Church’s teachings on this matter.”
Anġlu Farrugia, Labour’s deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, also insisted divorce was a right, and civil rights and morality should not be confused.
“We have to give people the right, even if we don’t agree with divorce. I’m a practising Catholic, but we’re in 2011 and need to focus on what makes sense legally. Unfortunately, the issue is not being understood,” he said. The majority, 26 Labour MPs, were undecided or noncommittal over how they would vote. Even though most said they were in favour of divorce legislation they preferred to wait and analyse the finer details of the Bill.
George Vella said he was not against divorce legislation in principle but he wanted to see the Bill’s precise wording before saying how he would vote.
“I am a practising Catholic and will not make use of divorce, but who am I to make this decision for others? I view this issue in one way as a citizen and another as a legislator,” Dr Vella said.
Former Labour leader Alfred Sant also felt he should not pronounce himself for the time being, adding he would take a stand during the parliamentary debate.
“As for the principle of whether I am in favour of divorce legislation, I think my record speaks for itself. I have already pronounced myself on the subject.”
Marlene Pullicino, although noncommittal, was all for giving people the right to choose, even though she was personally against divorce.
On the opposite side of the House, 26 Nationalist Party MPs declared themselves against divorce. However, Robert Arrigo said although he would be voting against, he also believed the people should be consulted.
Just two Nationalist MPs – Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who presented the Private Members’ Bill last August, and Karl Gouder – are definitely taking a stand in favour.
Another five preferred not to commit themselves at this stage. Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said he felt that since this was an extremely sensitive subject he would rather make his position clear when the time was right.
“This is not so much a matter of what my belief on the subject is but whether I can, or should, impose my opinion on others,” Dr de Marco said.
Another Nationalist MP, Joe Falzon, said although he was convinced divorce should not be introduced, it was important to have a healthy debate in Parliament without limits.
(The Sunday Times)