Updated 9.18 pm - Labour MP Karmenu Vella brought the curtain down on a long parliamentary career tonight when he resigned in order to take up his new post as European Commissioner.
Mr Vella was first elected in 1976 and continued to be elected in every general election since.
He served under four Labour prime minister - Dom Mintoff, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, Alfred Sant and Joseph Muscat, his ministerial responsibilities covering public works, industry and tourism.
Mr Vella delivered his last speech in Parliament during the adjournment of the House, saying he was sad to leave but looking ahead with enthusiasm for his new post.
He recalled that when he was elected, he was the youngest MP on the government benches, and he was leaving as one of the oldest. He said he had always sought to do his best for the country and the Labour Party.
He had learnt a lot in 38 years, of which the biggest lesson was to be humble, he said. Also important was tolerance, and he had always worked well with friends and foes. In politics, he said, it was extremely rare for anybody to be completely right or completely wrong and to understand the other was therefore a sign of wisdom. The people, he said, expected both sides to work in the country's interest and not to waste time insulting one another.
Mr Vella said he was determined to repay the confidence shown in him in his new appointment by Prime Minister Muscat and new Commission President Juncker. He would do his duties to the best of his abilities in the interests of all the EU.
Mr Vella thanked his constituents, his family, the Labour Party, his colleagues and all those who helped him in his political career, and he apologised for any wrongdoing.
Prior to Mr Vella's address, Labour MP Joe Debono Grech bid him a fond farewell, saying Mr Vella's departure meant he was now the only remaining MP first elected in 1976. He praised Mr Vella for always working hard and achieving good results.
On November 1, Mr Vella will be formally appointed Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
The new European Commission was approved by the European Parliament last week.
Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said Mr Vella was a competent, determined and dedicated politician who had had a long and challenging political career. His new challenge would be one of the most important, given the responsibilities he had been given. These were delicate times for the EU which needed to regain the people's confidence and fight indifference. Mr Vella was a good communicator with a healthy sense of humour, both important in the EU. He wished him well.
Opposition whip David Agius thanked Mr Vella for his work and wished him well as commissioner. Mr Agius said Mr Vella would be missed by his constituents but he was sure Mr Vella would keep in touch.