Vote yes or resign

MPs who cannot bring themselves to ratify the result of the referendum should quit.

The forthcoming vote in parliament is not about divorce but about ratifying the results of a consultative referendum, which although not legally binding carries the full weight of popular sovereignty.

Since parliamentarians are the elected representatives of the people, they are duty bound to approve a law, which respects the spirit of the referendum question. The result was clear: a 53% majority for a no fault divorce granted after four years of separation with adequate provisions on alimony. God forbid that anyone fiddles with this through amendments, which depart from the kind of divorce envisaged in the referendum question.

If MPs feel uncomfortable following the cardinal rule of democracy; respecting the electoral mandate, they can always resign and call it a day. I am not impressed by the idea that MPs are free to vote as they like as long as the law is approved. This ridicules the whole notion of “conscience”. For what’s the value of a no vote if it has no bearing on the final result? Such a calculated vote will render conscience in to a sort of fetish. And in case that too many Nationalist MPs cite problems of conscience, who is to decide which souls are to be saved or not?

For those MPs who are not willing to ratify the result, resigning will be a far more  honourable thing to do than abstaining which could be interpreted as an opportunistic vote not to alienate conservative constituents.  But while an abstention sounds pathetic, voting against the popular will is simply intolerable.

Let us not forget that the reason given by Gonzi for holding the referendum was that this was too big issue for parliamentarians to decide upon. Now that the people have decided, Gonzi should be the first to respect their decision with his vote.

For Gonzi is in even more delicate situation than other MPs. As Prime Minister he cannot hide behind the calculus of convenience being designed to pass the bill while saving the face of a theocratic fringe, which refuses to come to terms with the rules of democracy. In his case an abstention would simply indicate a lack of leadership. For it is rich on his part  to expect MPs to secure the passage of the law on which  he still refutes to say whether he will be voting yes or no.

If he votes no he would be defying the result of a referendum, which he was the first to invoke. This leaves him with two choices: vote yes or resign.

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Come on James you know why Gonzi is wriggling around the notion of conscience? He wants to find a way to pass the law without losing a majority in the parliament. He just wants to survive another two years at the helm, that's all. The guy has already shown that he has no principles and can play on the idea of sin and conscience when he wants. http://mazzun.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/demmek-mhux-tajjeb-ghax-int-pufta/#more-1761
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James Sounds pretty totalitarian. So long as the will of the majority is respected and legislation is approved there is no reason for all to vote yes. These are MPs of a democracy NOT members of a Breshnev-era Politburo. If the constituents of the MPs who abstain or vote against disagree they can decide not too vote for them. Voting all YES sounds like the collective good argument this time in reverse
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duncan abela
There is a big difference between a member of parliament and an MP who forms part of Government . An MP has the right to vote as he deems fit although if that does not reflect the wishes of those who elected him he is likely to be rejected by his constituency in the next general election. However a member of government whether the PM, a minister or a minister's assistant has the democratic duty to submit to the will of the people as expressed in the referendum. If he feels he cannot do so for whatever reason he must resign his post, otherwise he will be undermining the very essence of democracy. This is what ministers abroad have done when faced with ethical reserviations on government decisions. We expect the same democratic behaviour or honourable way out by all the members of government
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James I agree with you I think the members of Parliament should vote yes or no. If they abstain I think they are a bunch of people who got no guts and are not worthy of representing the people of Malta. So Please stand up and be counted and do the wish of the people.
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Well said James. 'No' OR abstention = resignation... and this should apply to all M.P.s.
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James għandu raġun! http://mazzun.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/astensjoni-ghalabiebizmu-mir-rieda-tal-poplu/
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I think at this point Gonzi should call for a new election. But I think he will continue to drag this farce until the last day of his mandate always struggling with JPO and the Austin Gatt and Tonio Fenech team. Mario de Marco seem to be building a case for himself as the future PN leader.
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Herbert Brincat
I think the easiest for GonziPN would be to call it a day and ask for new elections.