I shall begin by paying tribute to former Labour Minister Philip Muscat. As former President of the Students’ Representative Council and Kunsill Studenti Universitarji, I had between 1977 and 1979 various occasions where I could meet Philip face to face.

We had then our strong differences of opinion, in particular with regard to the reforms that were then being implemented in our University – these were the reforms through which students were being asked to alternate between studying and working, through which areas of study within the University were seriously restricted, and eventually through which a distinction was made between students from government schools and those from Church or private schools.

Having said that, I appreciate the fact that Philip was within the parameters that were set for him, trying to do whatever he considered best for our country. Over and above that, he was a politician who maintained a close contact with the constituents whom he represented in parliament. By profession he worked as a doctor and kept close to the people. All too often, we tend to realise late in the day that persons who choose politics do so at great personal sacrifice and in that process, rope members of their family who equally sacrifice their time, other opportunities and their privacy to be of service to others.

Mario Felice will then always remain known for his unique clarity of thought and speed at which he could translate thought into eloquent arguments – his strongest points were his knowledge about NATO issues at a time when government was toying with other allegiances, and then about economic and financial issues, again at a time when the national direction in these areas was sadly lacking. I clearly remember former Nationalist Party Leader George Borg Olivier delegating Mario to deliver the response on behalf of the Opposition to the Budget that would have been presented by the Labour government.

Mario, himself the son of a former Nationalist Finance Minister, Giovanni, did his best to show that the principles of a market economy would lead to far more generation of wealth than a system of total State control. He also struggled for Malta to retain excellent relations with the West as opposed to pursuing other options that were posing a danger to our country.

His political conferences attracted large audiences, although eventually he suffered for his individualistic streak at a time when this could have been misinterpreted for lack of loyalty to the strict Party line. In reality he stood first and foremost for his country and had no difficulty with transmitting messages on behalf of Prime Minister Dom Mintoff to the government of the United States of America, not least because he believed that in that way he could mellow government’s over doctrinaire approach.

Even after his parliamentary life came to a premature end, he served his country well, in particular in giving Malta direction in the field of financial services.

I shall always cherish my own meetings with him, including over coffee in Valletta, where his wit, eloquence and guidance were genuinely inspiring.

Last but certainly not least, I pay tribute to Renato Agius Muscat – an icon of absolute loyalty to the Party and to his constituents. Renato was in parliament between 1987 and 1992 – and one cannot forget his sense of humour, his unfailing words of practical advice, and his remaining in touch with what matters most and above every other consideration in politics – the people he represented with a smile, with enthusiasm and determination.

Renato, himself brought up within a politically dedicated family, did not lose his sense of commitment and care towards the country, even after he was no longer in parliament. Until the very end of his life, he maintained his dedication, loyalty and selfless care towards others.

Our country is the poorer for the loss of these three politicians – at the same time Malta is the richer for cherishing the values and examples set by them through their choice in favour of being of service through politics – by opting for the rigour of public life and understand that that choice is only meaningful when it is considered as a mission.

Francis Zammit Dimech is a National MP