I think what both parties did in the vote on the Marriage Equality Law makes a travesty of the normal democratic process. Both the Labour and Nationalist parties denied a free vote to their members on what is without doubt a question of conscience.

I believe that this law was rushed through for political purposes, enabling both sides to try to score points over each other. A free vote would have enabled genuine debate where both the LGBTIQ community and the heterosexual community, in mutual respect, as true Maltese brothers and sisters, would have gained much more in the long run. Instead there is this general bad feeling of many Maltese having been taken for a ride by both parties.

I believe that many Nationalist and Labour supporters who always gave importance to values when they vote will reconsider what they do with their vote next time round. We are fed up of being led by the nose.

You don’t have to be super liberal, bending values as needed to keep people happy. If your party has values, defend them and think of the long-term real common good.

In my opinion, one single politician, Edwin Vassallo, did the right thing and gave hope to many. I heard a number of politicians justifying why they went along with the vote but I was not only not convinced, but greatly disappointed.

I’m afraid one can hide behind many arguments that might sound right but are, in fact, twisting things round. I’m sorry, one needs to call a spade a spade.

You can’t have the cake and eat it. One can, of course, start anew and make amends, but who will stand up and be counted?