Kindly allow me to refer to an article appearing in another section of the local press, entitled “Independence Day conflicting messages”, by Helena Dalli MP (The Times, Monday, 21 September) in which item she denied that the Malta Labour Party was against Independence in 1964, also adding that “nothing could be further from the truth.”

Since, always according to herself, “the bone of contention was in the degree of Independence aspired for in 1964,” I now take the opportunity to ask her: why did Dom Mintoff remove Independence Day from the public holidays calendar as from 12 June 1971 until the Nationalists were returned to power on 9 May 1987?

Edward Torpiano

Floriana