Since John Saliba deems it beneath him to answer my letter of Saturday 10 November, so much so that his Mrs, Grace, took the initiative to answer me “woman to woman’ as she so subtly stated (Empty vessels, TMID 19 November), I in turn have decided to make sure she gets her facts right.

On 19 July 1945 the Labour party led by Sir Paul Boffa, with Dom Mintoff as Reconstruction Minister, passed a motion which entitled people from the age of 18 the right to vote and the right to vote was what Dom Mintoff fought for – man and woman alike.

The delegates of the Nationalist Party tried hardest to stop this happening but the Labour Party, again headed by Sir Paul Boffa, actually made it happen in 1947.

Grace Saliba does not have her facts right. ‘As for the evil that men do’, who delivered social benefits from children’s allowances to maternity grants, bonuses, women’s pension etc.?

All I am writing about is on the internet for all the world to see so I suggest you take a really good look to see the reality of the history that came to pass. Mrs Saliba, that Dom Mintoff was not instrumental in bringing about the vote for women, is a figment of your Nationalist imagination.

Though it’s a difficult pill to swallow I am 100 per cent sure that it is all due to Dom Mintoff that you have the right to vote. You can be proud all you want that you are a Nationalist supporter.

I just thank God almighty that I am not one of them. Please send my regards to your husband who has no time for people…who speak the truth.

Valerie Borg

MLP Councillor

Valletta