He was 91 years old earlier this week, the Bormliz by the name of Duminku Mintoff who was born in 1916 and contested and was elected in 14 elections.

Whatever conflict there was between him and Dr Alfred Sant during the tempestuous one year and 10 months of a Labour government with Dr Sant the man at the helm, one just cannot wipe away what Dom Mintoff actually “did” for Malta and the Maltese.

Whenever the media reports what a Labour government did during his reign from 1971 to 1987, the name Dom Mintoff is absent – but the Labour government was Dom Mintoff himself.

Lest we forget, he was the Messiah of the Maltese for a very long time in spite of his behaviour between 1996 and 1998.

If it weren’t for the unyielding “lion” of great force of character, the vote for women would not have existed. If it weren’t for him, there would not have been a health scheme that provided free medicine and free healthcare for all.

There would be no chance of a widow getting a pension, bonuses, children’s allowances, maternity grants, government plots, work actually running after people.

If it weren’t for Dom Mintoff whose tactics actually surpassed those of the British, Malta would still have been a colony of the latter although now we are doomed forever because of our entry in the EU.

Which government actually “provided” for all as Dom Mintoff did? Which government was actually the inspiration of thousands of workers because he fought for their rights?

What Dom Mintoff “did” during the nearly two-year stint of a Labour government was not evil. It was more a case of the green-eyed monster raising its ugly head because he felt he was treated like an amateurish bystander whose “good works” were being cast aside as if he was not the prime bearer of the excellent way he governed Malta during 1971 and 1987.

His “good” will live on in spite of the Nationalists’ spoke in the wheels of many a project he gave birth to. Happy belated birthday Dom.

Valerie Borg

VALLETTA