The day Theresa May triggered Brexit was indeed a sad day for both Europe and Britain. European Council president Donald Tusk even considered it “a punitive” affair.

Joe Bugeja (March 29) interprets Brexit as a slide down from a Great Britain to only Britain.

Bugeja, a friend whom I respect, thinks that what makes Britain great was its empire.

I beg to differ. The gradual dissolution of the empire was indeed inevitable. What makes Britain great, in my opinion, is the very spirit of its people that drove such a relatively small country to dominate so much.

This is the spirit that, against all odds, boosted Malta from thousands of miles away, at a tremendous cost in lives and equipment, when, in spite of our affinity, Italy refused to invade Malta. The same spirit was again evidenced during the Falklands war.

Indeed, the empire has long gone but its effect not only persists but influences the way of life of former colonies. Just think of the influx of the English language.

I am sure Bugeja would be the first to admit that the English language in Malta is, to a very large extent, a major contributor to this country’s success.

Let us wish Britain well.