It has been reported in the Times of Malta (July 13) that, in his comments after the law on gay marriage had been approved, Simon Busuttil said: “I understand there were a number of MPs who had objections to parts of the law but who still voted in favour out of loyalty to the party’s position and for the sake of party unity.”

His comments clearly demonstrate that, more than the good of society as a whole or following one’s conscience, on such a delicate and moral issue what was of primary importance for the majority of Nationalist MPs was the loyalty to the party and party unity.

We all know that political parties exist not to serve themselves but the good of society at large. The common good has to prevail over everything else when it comes to enacting laws that affect society.

I consider Busuttil’s comments as being very partisan and degrading on MP Edwin Vassallo, who upheld the supremacy of conscience when he voted against such a law because he could not reconcile his principles with a law that was immoral.

Whether one agrees with Vassallo’s reasoning or not, one cannot but admire him for having shown one and all that no individual should be enslaved to what the party stands for, especially on moral issues.

Let us hope that parties learn to respect individuals and allow them to act according to the dictates of their conscience. Democracy should respect this right for no individual should feel threatened or blackmailed whenever s/he wants to express what s/he believes is good for society as a whole.