A number of activities were held to mark Independence Day on September 21.

The Nationalist Party held its usual mass meeting on the Granaries, in Floriana. The programme of activities prepared by the State included Pontifical Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, a gun salute, the laying of wreaths at the foot of the Independence Monument in Floriana, inspection of a guard of honour and a concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in the courtyard of the President’s Palace in Valletta.

With all due respect to Acting President Dolores Cristina and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, the absence of the President and the Prime Minister was noted.

It was reported they were away on official duties. In fact, they were in New York, the Prime Minister attending the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is not the first time the President and the Prime Minister were away from the island on Independence Day.

The people have a right to ask why their duties in Malta were not given priority over other duties abroad. I still remember former prime minister Dom Mintoff’s official motto of many decades ago: Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox – Malta first and foremost.