We need to discuss the basis of a new form of trust built on a meaningful form of citizenship appropriate for a republic. These are the words of Michael D. Higgins, the current Irish President, a poet and writer, academic and statesman, human rights advocate, promoter of inclusive citizenship and champion of creativity in his country. This year, he made the first State visit of an Irish President to the UK.

The Irish President’s words, although coming from the other end of Europe, uttered in a completely different context and for different reasons, gather in their simplicity the key elements of what should take our country, our republic, forward. Indeed, one of these elements, which pulls the others together, is found in an inspiring turn of phrase: “a new form of trust”.

Specifically, trust is the foundation for both meaningful citizenship as well as the republican form of government itself. Higgins is inviting us to rewire the republic we inherited for a future in which trust at all levels gels the nation. Let us re-public our form of government, I hear him saying.

It has always been my belief that, in one crucial respect, we are extremely fortunate. Against all odds, our historical past did not produce a present which is sown with real divisions. Our combative political culture hides a country that is one on all the key fronts.

We have no ethnic, linguistic, religious, regional or cultural divisions. Socially and economically, we are more homogenous than most European countries. Consequently, the soil in which divisiveness is normally sown and thrives is simply not there. Yet, few get their political bearings from this extremely positive state of affairs. It is no wonder that many in our midst are quite surprised when one international entity after another rates our country as one of the best places to live in on the planet.

Beyond society and economy, our democratic and State institutions, the three branches of government, work well. They have their malfunctions but these are endemic to any democracy which is alive and kicking. As Winston Churchill once remarked, democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

Finally, we have been members of the European Union for over a decade and together we have made quite a success of the venture. Not only have we put our past divisions on the matter behind us, not only have we absorbed its entire body of legislation without undue stress but, most importantly, on many key fronts we are doing better than many of the much larger member states.

These are the facts. This is the real Malta. And, yet, going by the appearance given by our daily political grind, one would think that this country is always teetering on the brink of being torn asunder. The loud din of our confrontational politics – and here in no way do I exculpate myself or my government – rarely allows us to hear this real Malta gently speaking its name.

It is this voice which we all need to endeavour to make more audible. Tonight, when many of us gather in St George’s Square, Valletta, to celebrate the 40th anni­versary of becoming a republic, would be an excellent opportunity to raise the pitch of this voice. As we did during the other three anni­versaries throughout this year.

Becoming a republic was another key link in the chain of national milestones which made us who we are and what this country is today. In the national psyche, this particular anniversary is the most understated, perhaps because it was the least historically controversial. Yet, its off-centre position on the political stage of the last half-century conceals the magnitude of its contribution to the evolution of this country’s statehood.

Forty years ago today, the first Maltese head of State was elected, the nation was reborn as a republic and, as a people, we took a decision which is rather rare – we changed our Constitution. The significance of these three acts performed at one go cannot be overestimated. They constituted the perfect bridge between an independent past and a future that was to see the departure of the last foreign soldier and membership in the EU almost a quarter of a century later.

Tonight, we celebrate this achievement. But not just that. This year’s Republic Day brings to a close a year in which we came together as one in a spirit of unity – jien, int aħna Maltin. I genuinely augur that this spirit continues to flourish and grow deeper in the years to come.

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