I was very interested in the letter by Norman Grech (December 11) commenting on the letter by Victor de Bono (December 7) about the visit of Queen Elizabeth II (of Great Britain). Did Mr de Bono sound subservient to the British royal family? I don't think so. I think he just made an observation on the visit.
On the other hand, Mr Grech, who is obviously a republican living in a republic (nothing wrong with that), lets all his distaste of things British and specifically royal out in one gush.
The British royal family (there are many monarchies around the world, so I emphasise British least we mistake it for any other), plays a unique role on behalf of Great Britain (here the Great has nothing to do with power but just a reference to a gathered group of islands not unlike Malta). They maintain a status quo for Great Britain when politics and politicians could cause a sway from left to right and back again. Hopefully you may oppose our government's view but still have a regard for the nation as a whole. Likewise, the British do not hold each and every Maltese responsible for giving us the boot in the 1960s and then finally in the late 1970s; they understand that this was a political action deemed necessary by the government of the day.
The good thing is that over a beer we can all agree what we think of politicians of all persuasions!
As for the Commonwealth, wealth in terms of gold is not the issue. The wealth is in wealth of: commonality, ideas, friendship as any federation should have. True, once there was a master-servant relationship, however Mr Grech may not have noticed that those days passed many years ago. We have even abolished slavery - for which I have no intention of apologising as I never owned any slaves. Now the purpose is to interact for the benefit of all (sounds a little bit like communism to me!).
Are we showing our arrogance by not joining the euro? I don't know but I believe that my government has decided to stay out until it favours the people who put them in power. Why should we change our currency just to benefit others at a cost to ourselves. Would you?
Mr Grech may not be too pleased with my comments and even less impressed when he sees my name. An Englishman with a Maltese name! Yes, and very proud of my father's homeland. I also happen to be very proud of my queen. Yet, I consider myself neither a royalist nor a republican. I am happy with the present arrangement and know that both my queen and her husband were thrilled to revisit the jewel of the Mediterranean again.
Mr Grech should enjoy life and not carry the burden of hating the British royal family all on his own shoulders. Did they do his family a personal disservice sometime in the past? If so, then is he going to hate everyone for not giving him what he considers should be his? Will the Italians, Turks and Phoenicians be next?