By Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for Lands and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto

“How will we manage once the British leave?” It is likely that many, including Dom Mintoff himself, asked this question time and again. For those who lived through Malta’s colonial past, British rule was a defining part of life. Yet Mintoff, a visionary and a man of numbers, did not let such doubt deter him. In 1971, he was elected on a promise that Malta would finally belong to the Maltese. No longer would it serve as a military base; instead, it would become a bridge of peace between nations.

I was just five years old in 1979, attending De La Salle College. I vividly recall the sense of anticipation in the air, with adults discussing the historic moment ahead. “The British are leaving,” they would say, over and over again. What remains etched in my memory is the day we were taken from school on foot to Xatt ir-Riżq to witness soldiers boarding HMS London. Though I was too young to grasp the full significance, the scene left a lasting impression.

Back then, many doubted Mintoff. They believed Malta couldn’t stand on its own without British subsidies or the economic activity generated by the military presence. Some argued he was reckless. But thousands of Maltese believed in his vision. They placed their faith in a new future, one that was no longer dependent on foreign rule.

Mintoff wasted no time. Immediately following the 1971 election, he sent a clear signal: his government had a concrete plan for genuine independence. It was no surprise when Admiral Giovanni Birindelli, NATO’s representative in Malta, was declared persona non grata, an unmistakable message that times had changed. In 1972, the Auberge de Castille was transformed from a military stronghold into the Prime Minister’s office, symbolising Malta’s shift towards full sovereignty.

The negotiations with Britain were anything but easy. Lord Carrington, who led the talks on behalf of the UK, later described them as the toughest of his career. Yet Mintoff held his ground. He secured increased financial compensation for the remaining period of British presence and a firm deadline for their departure. Malta was finally taking control of its own destiny.

An Economic and Social Transformation

Freedom was not merely about reclaiming territory. It was a turning point that reshaped Malta’s economic foundation. Areas once off-limits, like the Marsa sports grounds, known then as “British Marsa”, were returned to the people. The withdrawal of foreign forces sparked an unprecedented wave of economic regeneration.

The manufacturing industry began to flourish, providing employment opportunities to hundreds of men and women. The tourism sector, which had taken root in the 1960s, experienced significant growth. Slowly, the Maltese people began to believe in themselves and in their potential to drive the country forward.

At the time, Malta was still in its infancy as a nation. We had gained independence only 15 years earlier and had just become a Republic. Mintoff’s courage, whether admired or criticised, was instrumental in establishing Malta as a sovereign state with ambitious social and economic goals. His leadership laid the foundations for a welfare system that continues to support Maltese citizens to this day.

A Legacy Beyond Commemoration

The years that followed were not without challenges. Job creation was an uphill battle, but opportunities began to emerge. We must not forget that only two decades earlier, many Maltese had no choice but to emigrate to Australia or elsewhere in search of a better life. That tide began to turn. A new Malta was taking shape, one defined by social progress, opportunity, and a belief in a better future.

Today, 46 years later, Freedom Day should not be viewed simply as a historical commemoration. It marks far more than the departure of the British. It represents a pivotal milestone in Malta’s journey toward self-determination and economic success.

It is a celebration of neutrality, of wise leadership, and of the pursuit of social justice. Most importantly, it is a reminder that Malta’s greatest achievements have come from courage, unity, and the unwavering desire for peace among nations.