Divorce is an issue of conscience – Joseph Muscat

 Muscat said that he will not delve into political partisan but he will speak out as the leader of a party and the Opposition.

“It is very easy not to take a stand on this situation so as to try to keep as many votes as possible,” Muscat started, “but I, from the very beginning have expressed my position on the matter. The way the Prime Minister is managing the divorce issue is showing lack of leadership. The PM is being led instead of him leading others.”

This, Muscat claimed whilst adding that Lawrence Gonzi is trying to buy time by saying that there are private and internal debates going on.

Muscat said that he will be campaigning for the introduction of responsible divorce and that he will be in the frontline.

“I agree with responsible divorce once families have really tried to solve the problem. I believe that everyone has the right for divorce,” he said. “However, I believe that this is a decision made on matter of conscience and I will not impose my decision on anyone.”

The Opposition Leader said that if it comes to Parliament he will give the MPs the will to be free to vote.

“This is something much greater than politics. Our children will never forgive is if we do not take a responsible decision.”

Muscat claimed more than once that responsible divorce should be introduced as a citizen right.

“This decision is long overdue. I believe that we have been losing too much time on the matter and I am open to a referendum. I am ready to campaign not only in Parliament and in a referendum but also in various other forms.”

The Labour leader also said that he believes that there is a fundamental problem in a leader of a government who says that he will bring forward a referendum and legislation in favour of divorce, when he himself is against it.

“The PM should for once and for all take a decision and state where he stands on the matter. If he is really interested on the subject he should discuss what he is proposing as a methodology. Moreover, I invite the Prime Minister to do what I did and give his MPs and Maltese and Gozitans the free vote.”