As the weeks rolled by, it became clearer that the referendum result was going to mean far more than the introduction of a civil law, simply allowing people to divorce and remarry.

It was about a changing mentality, challenging the way things have been done in Malta for many years. It was about citizens standing up for their rights, showing compassion and declaring that they will no longer vote on party or religious lines, just because they were told to do so. It was about common sense. It was about the people of Malta showing that even when leadership was lacking, it again had the courage to vote ‘Yes’, for change and for the future.

The overriding ‘Yes’ opinion was prevalent throughout Malta, with only three districts, inevitably including Gozo, voting against the question put to the electorate. This newspaper had, from the start, declared its support for the introduction of divorce as a civil right, and we are glad to have taken the stand and come down on the right side of history. But we must not forget the minority – there are many people out there who are confused and in need of an explanation.

Another truth which seems to have finally dawned on some is that the issues which arose during the divorce debate are here; they are a reality for many families and children who are struggling as a result of marital breakdown. Perhaps the best thing to come out of this debate was the consensus that more needs to be done to help people prepare for the realities of marriage.

Weeks before the referendum took place, it was also becoming clear that the way people interpret electoral campaigns has been radically altered. The use of Facebook, Twitter and all manner of other social networking and blogging sites showed that people were ready to discuss the matter and were willing to draw their own conclusions. In short, the electorate informed and mobilised itself. To give a sense of proportion and scale, for those who still might doubt their power, these same networking sites led to the fall of oppressive regimes in North Africa.

The Government has severely underestimated this intangible growing sector of society; fiercely independent in thought and motivated enough to act – your modern Maltese citizen. The signs were all there from the start, you could literally feel it brewing on the net and on the streets. While many people wanted to vote ‘Yes’ to show compassion to others, a great deal of others cast a ‘Yes’ because they wanted to send out a very clear message; they will not be told what to think and what to do. Of course, the political vote came through – it is clear that the a majority of Labour supporters cast a ‘Yes’, but a great deal of others simply stayed away. Equally, there were many of the liberal section within the PN that cast a ‘Yes’.

But the reality must be setting in now. The PN Government made a grave error in thinking that it had the right feel for the mood. The Prime Minister must recognise that while the General Election is two years away, his party has a lot to do if it ever hopes to reconcile with that same liberal faction that put it into power in 1987 and kept it there almost ever since. The Church must also recognise that it too needs to change. The Church can, and must, continue to have a relevant and important role in our society. But it must also realise that it simply cannot behave as if it were the 1900’s. The people have spoken, they want Malta to move on and become part of mainstream Europe. But we also believe that the people of Malta have learned, and have even matured somewhat. The distinctive lack of celebrations and painted honking cars proves it.