The issue regarding whether we introduce divorce or not has been left on the back burner for a long, long time by the political bodies of this island. Politicians were very wary about expressing themselves about the divorce issue, especially those who were in favour of divorce; they were afraid that this could cost them their seat in Parliament.

Despite the fact that Malta is a secular democratic state, everyone knows that the clergy, who enjoy many privileges, still have a strong hold on their “faithful”, so as one might expect such people will follow without question whatever the clergy say. The question of divorce for such people is anathema.

However, the trouble with these people is that they want to impose their beliefs and will on others who, unlike them, want divorce. People who, like Adrian Vassallo, want a referendum to be held to decide this divorce issue do not believe in the rights of the individual. MP Adrian Vassallo should know that no majority on earth has the right to dictate and interfere in one’s personal life. Such narrow minded views are prevalent only in those backward countries where autocrats of all sorts rule. We are now an EU member state, let’s move forward and not backwards.

Emmanuel Spagnol

Zejtun