This can be done under existing parliamentary procedures with due respect for the beliefs and dignity of all sides: those who wish to abstain, vote no, vote yes, on both sides of the party divide,” he writes, stressing that the Prime Minister’s vote, as head of the executive and the person who wanted a referendum is “an unrelated issue”.

Bad faith plastered, among others, in the vague arguments of postponement of the divorce Bill, should not be allowed to undermine further the confidence that the people need to have in our institutions, most of all the Constitution and Parliament

Claiming that some matters are purely political while others are moral and that, therefore, they merit separate treatment by the legislator, is in my view a travesty of what Parliament is there for

It is shameful that people like Prime Minister Gonzi tried to depict people in favour of divorce as supporters of abortion, or minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici who claimed the only people who wanted divorce were men who wanted younger women.

I do not agree with the Nevada type of divorce, where you get it with e-mail, but with divorce legislation that safeguards the interest of children

Do not be influenced by political parties on the divorce issue. We are still waiting Prime Minister Gonzi to say that all PN supporters are free to vote as they wish". Our country needs to be more European, more compassionate and tolerant. Even if I am alone speaking on these rights, it is fundamental for our country to be compassionate and tolerant