While we have all the usual contributors exalting Lawrence Gonzi for halting the controversial St John's project, it is obvious to every Tom, Dick and Harry that after a number of parliamentary meetings, Dr Gonzi realised that, with a number of government MPs potentially voting against, this hole-in-the-ground project could become a very damaging political liability.

If the real reason for Dr Gonzi's decision was "not to divide the people", then this project should have been scrapped a good while ago. Of course, despite the mounting opposition, and in spite of all the vociferous opposition, he opted to continually defend this project.

It is very convenient, of course, that the Archbishop of Malta gave him an option for a comfortable strategic retreat.

Now it would be good to see how Dr Gonzi and the Archbishop tackle other controversies that are dividing the people.