Farewell to a statesman who left an indelible print in Malta’s history. Eulogies at this point are in order, even though both colours are responsible for my dislike for politics.

From history I learnt that in the 1950s you were a staunch warrior for Maltese rights. Thanks to you. I learnt that 1971-1975 where the best years Malta had. Thanks to you. Malta obtained a welfare state. Thanks to you. Apart from the National Bank scandal [thanks to you, showing the first omen of things to come], you technically built a country from scratch. Thanks to you. In those 4 years, Malta’s economy rose steadily.

Thanks to you. 

After that, Malta had its first despot, and I learnt this in my lifetime. Thanks to you. I therefore cannot mention the doctor’s strike of 1977 as I wasn’t born yet. In 1981 the party with the most votes didn’t make it to government. Fact. Thanks to you. I later learnt, from official university records that in 1983, thugs would regular visit university campus and beat up students with police turning a blind eye [with the eventual abolition of rag day for fear thugs would disguise themselves as students]. Thanks to you. In 1984 I wasn’t allowed to go to school but had to hide under the car seat as I would be transported clandestinely to a friend ‘s house to attend lessons – for a while it seemed like I could be deprived of an education. Thanks to you. Since my father, unlike the rest of his Mintoffian family, was not a known Mintoffian, he was skipped for promotion several times notwithstanding coming 1st in his exams. Thanks to you. I remember visiting my father at work [government department] and asking him why your photo replaced the crucifix at work, and being told by all employees that it was illegal to do the contrary. Thanks to you. In 1986/7 I remember being a 7 year old pelted with brown beer bottles at Fosos by thugs and surviving the way back through Capuchins Street with thugs stopping and smashing cars only because we were being driven in a red Fiat 127. Thanks to you. I remember Raymond Caruana being killed.

Thanks to you for allowing violent elements within the party following Black Monday [which being months old only I can’t possibly remember]. I remember my parents tensely following the elections in 1987 and contemplating emigrating to Canada. Thanks to you. I was brought up not to discuss politics with people, for fear of retribution against me and my family should an opposite government be elected. Thanks to you. The Maltese became a suspicious lot, especially politically, creating a divide affecting even relationships, until today [which perhaps comments to this post will prove]. Thanks to you. Until this day, the public perceives a shadow of corruption on the police force, stemming from the dark days of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, which today should no longer be justified. But still thanks to you.

All Malta, irrespective of colour or creed, agrees and welcomes the fact that those days are now over.

You were a statesman because of how you influenced the country, for better or worse. There can be no denying it, and therefore you must be saluted, irrespective of my dislike for politics of whatever colour or creed.. Like my family there were others, who had similar or different experiences under your iron fist. At the moment when eulogies are written about you, I will repeat your notorious mantra: “Il-Maltin l-ewwel u qabel kollox.” Lest we forget them too.

■ James D’Agostino