Since his death, Dom Mintoff has been lionised and showered with adulation by the very same people who vilified and despised him in 1998 when he brought down the last Sant Labour Government.
Then, there were no tears and frenetic scenes but utter condemnation and abhorrence.
This turnaround is not surprising considering what had happened many years ago in Cospicua, when his audience applauded him although he had reportedly insulted them.
Mr Mintoff was a shrewd and intelligent man and he banked on the gullibility of a certain section of the Maltese electorate.
His influence was even evident at his funeral, as he unwittingly brought the Labour Party to its knees again, when Joseph Muscat, in his inimitable showmanship style, kissed the coffin in front of the Labour Party headquarters.
Undoubtedly, Mr Mintoff had the last laugh!