Post civil-unions: ‘Electorate not understanding the PN’

The Opposition’s decision to abstain en bloc on the Civil Unions Bill has served to show that the Nationalist Party is not in tandem with the rest of the electorate, Nationalists in different ranks of the party told Sunday newspaper Illum.

On Monday, parliament approved the Civil Unions Act, but the historic vote was overshadowed by the PN’s abstinence – a move which according to Nationalist faithful highlighted that even though the party may have had valid reasons, the rest of the electorate did not understand the party’s message.

Speaking to Illum, Ingrid Brownrigg, executive member of the Party, said communication remained a key challenge that the party needed to address.

“The party is not succeeding in transmitting its message to the people. Regardless of the position adopted, if you’re not capable of explaining it, you are not capable of winning the necessary support. Consequently, the electorate is not understanding the Nationalist Party and if this is not addressed, the electorate will continue to abandon it.”

Brownrigg, who in the March 2013 stood on the second and third district, insisted that the PN’s reservations on gay adoption were understandable, but nevertheless, argued that she would like to see the party substantiate its position.

I’m confident that Simon Busuttil wants the PN on the forefront for civil rights. The question is whether the rest of the parliamentary group follows suit. It is time that those who do not have the same direction should call it a day in the interest of the party and their own good. Frank Psaila, NET TV presenter

She also underlined that the government did not give enough time for proper discussion and impact assessments to be carried out.

Echoing Brownrigg, Frank Psaila, a former PN communication coordinator turned NET TV presenter, argued that gay adoptions should have been presented in a separate bill, as this would have led to a bi-partisan approval of the civil unions act.

“However,” Psaila argued, “it is still premature to judge whether Simon Busuttil’s reputation on civil rights was tarnished.”

However, he added that the party needed to urgently discuss its aspirations and future positions on similar civil issues.

“I’m confident that Simon Busuttil wants the PN on the forefront for civil rights. The question is whether the rest of the parliamentary group follows suit. It is time that those who do not have the same direction should call it a day in the interest of the party and their own good,” Psaila told Illum.

Jean Claude Micallef, a PN executive member, admitted that the abstention on civil unions was certainly not a step towards certain sectors of the electorate.

However, he highlighted that it required good leadership to unite the parliamentary group in adopting a common vote.