“What lessons history might teach us! The experience it gives us is a lantern on the stern which shines only on the waves behind.” - Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet
Each year we celebrate important dates in our nation’s history and we always seek to select their specific relevance to current circumstances. Although we may tend to place their importance on who the protagonists were, there are other traditional celebrations throughout the year that are fortunately more welcome by one and all.
Our Constitution
Last Friday we commemorated one of the most historic events in Malta’s constitutional history. A mere 10 years after the acceptance of the 1964 Independence Constitution, an overwhelming majority in Parliament approved amendments to the Constitution so that Malta became a Republic within the Commonwealth. This meant that we parted from having the Queen of England as Malta’s Head of State and proudly chose our own first Maltese President, Sir Anthony Mamo.
The bold changes made through the Republic Constitution under a Labour Government reflected the Labour Party’s 1964 reservations on three points. Firstly, that the 1964 Constitution was not sufficiently liberal in various aspects. Secondly, that the Defence Agreement attached to it meant that Malta was still a colony because responsibility for defence and other sovereign rights were still vested in the UK Government. Thirdly, that the Financial Agreement granting independence was far from supporting the needs of a country that was striving to stand on its own feet as an independent state. It was only in March 1972 that a Labour Government achieved a hard-won agreement intended to phase out the British military base and lead to complete closure by March 1979.
The Republic is 45
The Republic’s Constitution secured stronger democratic provisions, better exposure of fundamental rights and freedoms and paved the way towards a clearer separation of church and state roles and it was approved by an overwhelming majority of Members of Parliament on both sides – 49 out of 55. In itself, this shows that the good of the nation came first and foremost, irrespective of the political alignments of the time.
It proved, once again, that Labour has always been a party with a vision and has never failed to deliver insight and courage every time this was required by the nation. Throughout its 100 years of history, it had the courage to change and regenerate and take decisions on a national level that were instrumental in the establishment of our country as a nation state. These attributes continue to be at the very core of Labour’s principles of equity, justice and social responsibility and are the determining factors that make the party stand out as the champion of civil rights and liberties.
The Republican Constitution is now a 45-year old determinative instrument that had led us to full political and financial autonomy on Freedom Day in 1979. That Constitution remains valid to this day, but changes to reflect the passing of time and subsequent democratic developments need to be tackled as soon as possible. The Labour Government is determined to once again be instrumental in the adaptation of our Constitution to reflect modern day realities.
Unity and continuity
Every anniversary in the life of a nation should be a moment of gratitude and learning. It is a time to appreciate the courage and hard work of our forefathers that brought us the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. The message to the people in President George Vella’s speech on Republic Day was clear and precise: this is a time for unity, solidarity, reflection and goodwill. It is only through unity that necessary changes can be made. We need to build upon the good and positive attitudes.
As a nation we are known for our generosity, together with our capable and resilient human resources. For decades, we have contributed towards global peace and the recent years have been ample proof of this. Our growth as a nation over the years should motivate us further to build on respect, integrity and trust. Difficult times call for bold measures that further expose our national identity. As our President wisely said on Friday, our efforts should go towards helping and trusting each other and working towards building on the good for an even more equitable and fair society.
I am determined to do my part, as I have always done, so that continuity and stability remain the cornerstones on which our country develops and moves ahead. This Government’s vision for a healthy and fair society that has the common good at heart can – and should – be fulfilled. I am convinced that, under the experience and coordination skills of our President Dr George Vella, the necessary changes will be achieved to strengthen our democracy, and the rule of law will continue to be the anchor that gives stability and continuity to our country.
This leads me to thank Chris Fearne and Robert Abela for the courage and determination they have shown in putting themselves forward and shouldering the responsibility of the Government’s premiership and the Party’s leadership. We treasure Dr Muscat’s rich legacy of socio-economic firsts. Through our constant unity, we will continue to implement this Government’s vision for Malta and Gozo. Lessons have been – and will continue to be – learned and necessary changes will be made, but let us move ahead!