Watch: PN’s Moralism Dragging It Down While PL Adapts To Changes In Society, Minister Byron Camilleri Asserts
During a discussion by PL politicians about the Nationalist Party’s pitiful state, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri gave his two cents’ worth on what he views as a major philosophical difference between the two parties.
“The PN’s issues aren’t only existential but related to it being a moralist party,” Camilleri said on ONE TV’s Paperscan. “From time to time, we hear speeches like Bernard Grech’s last weekend when he said the PN looks down on people. I agree with him but the problem didn’t start today.”
“For a long time now, the PN has failed to understand society, and society has in turn not understood the party back.”
As examples, he highlighted the PN’s 2013 stance against divorce, its 2014 criticism of gay adoptions, and its recent position against a bill that would allow abortions if a woman’s life or health is in danger.
On the other hand, the minister said the PL is more chameleon-like, ready to adapt its policies according to shifts in society.
“We understand society and we change according to how society changes,” he said.
“If politicians think we can somehow dictate what society does and discusses, we would be mistaken. No matter what we say and do, society will always act of its own accord.”
“The way Bernard Grech spoke in Parliament [about the abortion bill] was so downgrading to women but it once again exposed the mentality of a politician who believes they possess a superior morality.”
With the PN faltering badly in the polls and rumblings of discontent within the party growing, Grech on 12th February delivered an emotional speech to MPs, councillors and activists.
“We still look down on people,” he warned. “We need to believe that nobody is better than anybody and that we are not better than anyone else.”
Cover photo: Left: PN Leader Bernard Grech, Right: Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri
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