Put the George Cross issue to a referendum (1)

I refer to William P. Flynn’s letter Dubious British Legacy (November 26), whom I presume to be Maltese living in Australia.

I said I would never write to The Times again as it sometimes causes friction and hurts people’s feelings but his letter made my blood boil.

I do not wish to get into a personal argument with Mr Flynn but to put him straight the George Cross was a personal gift from King George VI to the people of Malta. Therefore, may I make a simple suggestion: he should contact Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and ask him, when he next calls a general election, that it is included in a national referendum for the Maltese people to vote on whether they want to keep the George Cross on their national flag or not. Depending on the outcome, one way or another, he perhaps may accept the democratic decision of the people; perhaps then he will stop whingeing and pommy bashing. There is enough trouble in the world today without Mr Flynn making such aggressive remarks. May I also remind him that the British were not thrown out of Malta; they left on a democratic decision.

My wife and I are British ex-pats, I served here in the Royal Navy from 1962 to 1964 and was befriended by a Maltese family and we are still in touch to this day. We came to live here because we love the islands and its people, we are registered to pay our taxes here and we abide by Maltese laws to the letter.

Surely he does not mind us living here in a tiny little apartment just big enough for the two of us. We spend our money in the local village shops and restaurants and mix with the local people. We are not trying to build an “empire”, we don’t want a slice of the islands but just to live happily here in our retirement.

The other thing to remember is that Queen Elizabeth is the head of state in Australia but this can be terminated by the will of the people, no aggression or revolution is required.

Finally may I be allowed to wish Mr Flynn peace and happiness for the rest of his days.