Whenever a holiday with a political connotation approaches, I always ponder about the time when we will become mature enough to decide on Malta's "national day"! The debates on the choice of this day have raged long enough and, as a fully developed sovereign state, it is about time that we decide once and for all!
With due respect to all, with my hand on my heart and without political bias, I honestly believe that Independence Day is the obvious choice. As grown-ups we must put aside political agendas and be Maltese first and foremost!
Let us not kid ourselves. Independence belongs to all of us Maltese, be they of whatever political colour! Independence was not obtained by the Nationalist Party on its own. September 21, 1964 was the fruit of years of sacrifices by many and of different political hues and beliefs, and over a very long period. The political upheavals over the years all played a big and integral part in the final attainment of independence.
Although not young, I cannot say what parts persons like Enrico Mizzi, Manwel Dimech and many others played. But I can talk first hand about some of the goings on in the late 1950s and 1960s. One instance which reminds me of those times is when I was a master at Paola Technical Institute (now Mcast), a stone's throw (pun intended) away from the Dockyard. During a strike, some of us teachers, worrying more about the welfare of our students, decided to go to the school anyway!
It was the intervention of a well-placed priest that saw us out of a very sticky situation that day!
The Malta Labour Party can definitely claim a big stake in this great accomplishment! In my opinion those days played an essential part in our future political gains. Many remember with disdain the Tal-Barrani and similar incidents. But every country has to go through awkward and painful upheavals in one way or another. Our labour (excuse the pun) pains had to be endured one way or another, were they for the good or bad! And that is now history!
Therefore, I just cannot understand why persons who do not necessarily lean towards politicians like the late George Borg Olivier, who was Prime Minister when Independence was attained, seem to be against this date as Malta's national day. September 21, 1964 is not exclusive, or some prerogative or privilage belonging to any one particular political party. It was the climax and outcome of all the sacrifices and blood, toil and tears, since the days even of the Sette Gunio martyrs. Jum ir-Republika and Jum il-Ħelsien were born out of Jum l-Indipendenza whether one likes it or not!
So let us be "progressive" and unite on at least this matter of patriotic importance. "Moderate" is also very much a key word here and has very important and deep meanings. Let us practise these ideals in reality and not just mention them as theories! One never knows, this could lead to other "achievements" of important national priorities which will also do us all proud!
Let's put the "non-partisan approach" into practice and really mean it!