The good, the bad and the ugly (2)
Even if one disliked him intensely, one still cannot deny that Mr Mintoff was a great man. Entering politics at 19 and becoming prime minister at the age of 38, he was one of the world’s greatest politicans. I say ‘world’ because the whole world got to know about him. He put Malta on the map.
Everywhere I travelled people would reply “Dom Mintoff” when I told them I was from Malta.
His reforms transformed Malta from rags to riches, and it was all due to him that we no longer have beggars in the streets. He introduced bonuses, children’s allowances, maternity grants, the minimum wage, two-thirds pensions, affordable government plots, etc.
Mintoff was the best prime minister Malta ever had and for that alone will be sorely missed. Yes,he did bellow instead of talk and he did have the habit of shouting in one’s face to explain something but that was Mintoff. He couldn’t change any more than I could. He did not have one bad bone in his body though, and that is why I don’t think it will be long before God will take him into Heaven with Him. God speed, dear Dom, and have a safe journey ‘home’.
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Gerry Cowie
Aug 22nd 2012, 15:54
The world got to know him for all the wrong reasons - but you would call them the right reasons!
Mr robert micallef
Aug 22nd 2012, 12:57
affordable government plots ? yes of course they were taken for free from farmers etc. remember my poor uncle instead of money he had 2 plots, they were taken and changed into government flats.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Aug 22nd 2012, 15:18
I know of an example in B'Kara were a large of tract of land was taken by the Mintoff government in the early 1980s. No notice was given to the owner until someone phoned him to tell him that his land was being bulldozed in readines for building. The day after the notice was issued in the government gazette, the new 'owners', were already bulldozing away. Needless to say, they were all labourites. The real owner is still awaiting for compensation with a court case pending since then. Fond memories of Mintoff? I don't think so.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2012, 10:58
So, just because 'the whole world got to know about him' (?), that in itself made him 'one of the world's greatest politicians'. Some logic!
'Everywhere I travelled' ... where did you travel, ma'am?
'Mintoff was the best prime minister Malta ever had.' It shows from which spectrum the writer comes from. Seems she never had it bad.
Wenzu Vella
Aug 23rd 2012, 09:27
Mr Mintoff planted a tree that has been bearing good fruit from day one and for everyone including you Franco, and for all those who keep saying that they had it bad under the GREAT MAN’s Prime Ministership.
M Mealclaff
Aug 22nd 2012, 10:33
. .. I do recall Malta of the 1960's Before Mintoff .. Child Beggars would be roaming the streets of Valletta , Family's Living in Garages, Hamrun Slums .. Work was scarce .. And if you did find a Job you could be Dismissed ( sacked ) at any second .. For many Emigration was the only answer .
Mintoff Came along .Things changed Rapidly ... Though for some too Quick ..
The street Beggars were gone .. workers had more Rights and money .. Price Control was introduced .. Everything in shops had Prices Marked.. as well as Social Benefits for many ..
OK there were no Mars Chocolate in the Shops .. So What ..
Mintoff was a Staunch Socialist who Studied and practised Socialism ... Unfortunately many of his Ministers and Followers had no idea of the Socialist Ideal .. So there were many Conflicts of interests ..
Tales of Labour Supporters Smuggling in Suitcases full of Mars bars etc ... Talk about missing the Point !
Tales and Reports of Police Violence etc ... The Nationalists demanded Rights for accused Persons etc ..
Yet still today one reads reports of Police Violence often .. Accused persons STILL do not have the right to a Lawyer Present during Police Interviews .. People can still be held for 2 days without charge ..
So Nothing seems to have changed there .
But the Conclusion is that Mr Mintoff did well for the Common Man .. and for Malta ..
Gerry Cowie
Aug 22nd 2012, 10:32
Shame about the methods he used. The end does not justify the means!
Please choose the reason of your report below: