In yesterday’s leading article, we paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. We described him as a loyal servant to the people of Malta, a man of principle and a true gent. We are pleased to say that our sentiments were echoed in parliament.

In his farewell speech, typically, Dr Gonzi did not eulogise about his achievements, but rather, decided to draw the House’s attention to the plight of boat people, the dedication needed to participate in politics and to offer a few words of sage advice to current Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. He did it, as always, with a sense of duty.

They say a country gets the government and the parliament that it deserves. All too often, we take politics too seriously and get caught up in personal attacks and issues. And this is reflected in the way politicians behave. Yet we often miss the fact that deep down, there is huge respect towards each other. And yesterday was a perfect example.

Joseph Muscat often comes across as brash and a bit too sarcastic. But in his speech in parliament to bid farewell to Dr Gonzi, he made what could be his best speech yet. Listening to him commence, one thought it would only be a matter of time before a jibe or two was thrown in. But there was nothing of the sort.

Aside from what was to be expected – in terms of thanking Dr Gonzi for doing what he believed was the best for the country (etc) – Dr Muscat revealed some feelings that he could have easily kept hidden.

But he did not. Dr Muscat decided to tell the House, and indeed the people of Malta, that he was very apprehensive in having to take on Dr Gonzi because of the respect he commanded and his brilliant oratory skills. Dr Muscat’s own skills have improved tremendously since he took his seat in parliament, and he chose to showcase them in speaking honestly, and from the heart, about his adversary.

He also chose to tell the House that he was apprehensive in taking part in his first Brussels Summit, and revealed that Dr Gonzi had given him all the advice he could, and this because Dr Gonzi always rose above petty politics and wanted the best for Malta. He shared a joke about Dr Gonzi’s advice about text messages not working when the PMs of the EU were isolated and around the discussion table. Listening in, one could clearly hear Dr Gonzi’s distinctive laugh coming from the other side. It was a true display of how politics should be made. Dr Muscat also reserved time to speak about Dr Gonzi’s wife Kate, describing her as a bedrock of support to her husband and as being “the best campaigner I have ever seen”. All too often, politicians are demonized. Mintoff was demonized. Sant was demonized. Fenech Adami was demonized. Gonzi and Muscat themselves, were demonized. It was therefore such a breath of fresh air to see that Dr Gonzi got the best sending off that he could have possibly got – and the best of them all was by his former rival, Dr Muscat. The Prime Minister said he hoped that Dr Gonzi would get the rest and relaxation and time with his family that he so clearly craves – not to ‘keep him out’, but because he genuinely wishes the man to enjoy his hard-earned rest. Bravo. Bravo, Dr Muscat for being magnanimous. And, bravo Dr Gonzi, for being the man that you are.