Lino Spiteri wore many hats: he was an economist, politician, opinion writer, journalist, poet and novelist. Ariadne Massa traces the legacy of the former Labour minister who has succumbed to cancer aged 76.

Singled out by opponents and supporters as a formidable leader with an analytical mind, Lino Spiteri succeeded in earning the respect of politicians of all hues, despite being a central figure in the Labour Party during the turbulent 1980s.

Born with a deformed arm, he refused to let his disability define him and was grateful to his working class parents who encouraged him to achieve and “taught me there were no barriers expect those we put up ourselves”.

He was taught never to see himself as anything less and this was what spurred him to climb through the ranks.

Emmanuel Ellul, his close friend and former Central Bank of Malta governor, was convinced that what God took from his arm, he compensated by endowing him with a greater intelligence and clarity of thought.

Born in Qormi in 1938, the Oxford graduate was elected to Parliament on the Labour Party ticket in 1962 at the age of 23.

He went on to become a prominent Cabinet member of the late former prime minister Dom Mintoff’s government during the gerrymandered 1981 general election.

That election had produced a perverse result where Labour governed on the strength of its parliamentary majority despite obtaining fewer votes than the Nationalist Party.

He has gone on record saying he was one of the ministers who felt that calling a snap election after the flawed result was a “very bad idea” that would lead to bedlam, though in his autobiography former prime minister and Nationalist Party leader Eddie Fenech Adami accused Mr Spiteri of being one of the people who prevented Mr Mintoff with going ahead with another poll.

Looking back on those turbulent years in an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta on his 70th birthday, Mr Spiteri had said he was “ashamed” at some of the things that had taken place.

He was one the very few Labour politicians ready to acknowledge Dom Mintoff’s faults and shortcomings, as well as his strengths

“The question is: why did I stay on? I don’t think I would have helped by resigning, but I did make my point internally about some of the things happening,” he had said.

President Emeritus George Abela, who used to attend Cabinet meetings as the Prime Minister’s consultant, recalled Mr Spiteri’s talent for debating critically.

“He never shied away from highlighting the pros and cons and getting his point across. Nobody ever pulled his strings; he was a leader,” Dr Abela said.

“I dare say he was the party’s biggest loss when he resigned in 1997 – we lost a great debater with an analytical mind and foresight; a progressive man of integrity who contributed on every level.”

Mr Spiteri had once entertained the possibility of becoming his party’s leader in 1992, but Alfred Sant had defeated him in a bitter contest.

At the time, Dr Fenech Adami had remarked that Dr Sant’s election as leader was a godsend because in electoral terms he was more fearful of having Mr Spiteri at the helm.

However, Mr Spiteri said he had always disagreed with this view “because I probably wouldn’t have made a very good leader”. He said he had been pushed into the contest by others.

He eventually resigned from politics in 1997 after a disagreement with then Prime Minister Alfred Sant over VAT. He believed that contesting the 1996 election on an anti-VAT ticket had been his “gravest political mistake”.

Mr Spiteri, who remained a loyal Labourite but voted in favour of the EU membership, was known as a politician who never feared to speak his mind.

Last year, in his weekly The Sunday Times of Malta column, he had lamented the island’s obsession with politics.

“Removing the political blindfold from one’s eyes allows us to see the full potential of our human resources.

“That is what meritocracy should be all about,” he had said.

A former finance minister, Mr Spiteri must be smiling from above at the irony of being laid to rest on Budget Day, a day he judiciously followed and dissected.

His funeral will be held in Mdina tomorrow at 2pm.

In their own words

Political historian Joe Pirotta

Lino Spiteri, the product of a working-class background, carved out a successful career as an economist, writer and politician, despite a physical handicap that was a definite obstacle to advancement in less tolerant times.

I knew him as a man of integrity, analytical ability and sharp wit.

For many years synonymous with the Labour Party... he was marked by the religious-political struggle of the 1960s, without being negatively branded by it.

He remained critical of the experiences he endured but was never out for retribution... his dedication to the party was not soured by his unsuccessful leadership attempt; the murky outcome of which has never been satisfactorily explained.

Like many others, I think he was one of the best party leaders Labour never had.

I found him to be one of the very few Labour politicians ready to acknowledge Dom Mintoff’s faults and shortcomings, as well as his strengths, and be prepared to be quoted...

Whether one agreed or disagreed with the content of his regular political analysis he was always a pleasure to read. The elegant style reflected the wielder of the pen.

Former Nationalist prime minister Lawrence Gonzi

I have always felt deeply indebted to all those who choose to dedicate part of their life to serve the country.

Lino Spiteri was one of these special people prepared to stand up for what he believed in, even during what I assume were difficult circumstances for him.

He will be remembered for his long political career, literary skills and analytical prowess... I suspect he knew I read and valued what he wrote.

I personally prefer to remember him for his positive attitude towards disability issues. His was always an attitude that emphasised society’s responsibility to adopt an inclusive policy, which empowered people to develop their own talents.

Former The Sunday Times of Malta editor Laurence Grech

Lino Spiteri was a multifaceted person – a prolific opinion writer and a politician with an incredible sense of fiscal responsibility.

His insistence on proper accountability was truly admirable.

He naturally leaned towards the Left politically but on the whole he was an honest politician – he could be vicious in his attacks, but he worked on being fair.

I admired him tremendously; he was a brilliant man.