I would like to congratulate the people of Malta on the anniversary of the island’s Independence.

The events of the day, however, seem to indicate a partisan touch, as if the celebrations belong, not to the nation, but to a party. The reconciliatory spirit, which should pervade the national celebrations, was clearly absent.

The show on The Granaries in Floriana was purely partisan, with not one flag of the Labour Party unfurled, giving the impression that half of the island were not taking part, possible nurturing ill-feeling replacing total solidarity.

And instead of having the late Dr Borg Olivier raising the Independence document high, as a merited and proud achievement of the national effort, there were headline pictures of Dr de Marco badly beaten by the other party – in bad taste and certainly out of place in its eloquence, on this occasion.

Surely on an occasion like this, the Prime Minister of Malta speaks and appears on behalf of the whole nation and not on behalf of a party. Established and celebrated success in the national interest is and should be, the pride of every citizen without exception.

Roy Farmer

FLORIANA