A Labour Party local councillor, writing in this paper, made a curious observation. He said Equality Minister Helena Dalli did not make it as party deputy leader because of the Marriage Equality Bill she piloted.
It is a strange assertion, considering how the Labour Party promotes itself as the flag bearer of liberalism, branding the Nationalist Party as an outdated political force. Clearly, Labour has very successfully used gay rights to its political advantage but, deep within its party ranks, it appears they do not seem to like this brand of liberalism.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat wants to see more women in Parliament. It is not as controversial as gay marriage, if it is controversial at all. One has yet to see whether it will win him any kudos.
The Civil Marriage Bill had started well, until the government put gay adoption rights into the equation and left the Opposition in a quandary. Dr Muscat alienated the Opposition from the gay lobby.
He tried it again with gay marriage but the same trick never works twice. It remains to be seen what he plans to do to get more women into Parliament and if he wants to manipulate this issue too, to his political advantage.
Political games aside, the basic flaw with these initiatives is the liberal model being adopted. The insistence on categorising sectors of society in pigeonholes, pampering and catering to their whims, may foster equality on paper but in fact risks disintegrating society.
Once society is compartmentalised, the obvious question arises: if women deserve their own representation what about the minorities in society who can also claim to be unrepresented in Parliament, like Muslims?
The head of the Muslim community in Malta recently urged Muslim residents with the right to vote to furnish him with their personal details. He insists there are no plans to set up an Islamic party. Given the country’s electoral system, which for a quarter century has kept Alternattiva Demokratika out of Parliament, it is very unlikely that Muslims will be able to elect their own MP.
Parliament is intended to represent the whole of society. It should legislate for everyone, against a constitutional backdrop that is grounded in the fundamental rights of man. Equal human rights should be the focus, not sectorial interests. MPs do not represent people because they share their sexual orientations, or their sex, or their religion, or their personal interests. They represent constituents in their diversified, sometimes contradictory, forms.
To say that women are not represented in Parliament because there are so few of them in the House is to say that half the electorate is not represented. That is not true. What is true is that women can give so much more if there are the right structures.
That logic does not apply to minority groups. People are not Muslims only, or gay only, or hunters only. They are far more complex than that. Seeing the success of the gay lobby, other minority groups may be coming forward. Labour may be tempted to play the same trick. It would be so wrong.
Diversity in society should be embraced and promoted not pigeonholed to exploit for votes. It is hoped the government does not plan to pull the same trick with women.