An Epic Journey

Speaks to PROFESSOR JOSEPH M. PIROTTA about his latest oeuvre – ‘Volume IV in the series Fortress Colony: The Final Act 1945-1964’. This well-documented and analytical final volume covers the period in Malta’s history from mid-1961 to Independence Day 196

Professor Joseph M. Pirotta thinks of himself first and foremost as an educator. He graduated as a teacher from St. Michael’s Institute of Education, and later studied English and history at the University of Malta, and politics at the University of Reading from where he obtained his Ph.D. He retired from the University of Malta, where he was Head of the Department of International Relations in the Faculty of Arts, at the end of September 2008, after a teaching career that spanned 50 years – the last 29 at the University.

Between 1993 and 2002 Professor Pirotta was Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority. He is a founding father and life honorary member of the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities ( EPRA) and has also served as Chairman of the Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities.

He has published various books, papers and articles dealing with aspects of modern and contemporary Maltese political and constitutional development and has contributed to television and radio history programmes.

Professor Pirotta is married to Maria, and has two sons, Edward and Jonathan, as well as two grandsons, Luca and Karl. His main interests are political and constitutional history, reading, photography, art, sport, the cinema and the theatre.

What inspired you to start writing the ‘Fortress Colony’ series?

In 1945 the fortress colony of Malta emerged from World War II physically and economically shattered, facing urgent reconstruction, burdened by massive social problems and totally dependent on British defence spending. Twenty years later Malta was a sovereign State. I wanted to find out why and how this came about.

How long ago did you embark on this journey and what has it taught you along the way?

I started researching Malta’s post-war history in 1978. One of the first things that I quickly discovered was the existence of a considerable number of political myths that everyone, including myself until my research proved otherwise, took for granted. To this I would add a much better understanding of the very real difficulties involved, economic as much as political, in achieving independence, and of the general British disdain of Maltese abilities.

What is the hardest thing about writing books such as these?

Achieving objectivity without which all the hard work put in is rendered useless. To achieve this every possible lead must be followed. This involves a long and complicated process during which fact and evidence from all possible sources must be compiled. Archives in Malta and abroad, particularly in Britain, must be combed for all relevant material. You need dogged persistence in pursuing hitherto inaccessible sources.

I was instrumental in helping to make documentation, held by the Office of the Prime Minister and in the archive of the Archdiocese of Malta, being made available to scholars in 1987 and 2015, respectively. Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, whom I heartily thank, ended a thirty-tear quest in this regard. The contents of libraries must be scoured and, whenever possible, people involved interviewed.

Next comes the equally time-consuming process of analysing and interpreting the evidence and making it available in a coherent and readable manner not just to academics but also to anyone interested in the subject.

And what gives you the most satisfaction?

Adding to the knowledge of the historical development of Malta and the Maltese; contributing towards ending the national tendency towards interpreting everything in strict black and white shades by showing that, in truth, there are many intervening shades of grey; and acknowledgement from various quarters of the objectivity of the work.

Why is it important that Maltese people know and read about this period of history?

Unless we understand the contribution made by the various political forces to the development of our islands we will continue to persist in partisan interpretations of our political history. This only serves to perpetuate and strengthen prejudice and division to the detriment of national development.

Do you think that the younger generation is in danger of forgetting / not knowing about this past?

Definitely, but not only the younger generation. One has to admit that the younger generation have not been properly served because of the dilution of the importance of history in the curriculum and by the tendency not to teach about the final stage of Malta’s colonial period because it is still regarded as too controversial.

The press release of the book states that: ‘the final volume reveals much that has so far been unknown.’ Can you elaborate a bit on this?

The book contains irrefutable evidence of what Archbishop Gonzi really thought about Mintoff and in the process shows that the political-religious struggle was mainly due to a clash of principles rather than a clash of personalities.

It debunks the myth that Borg Olivier accepted to form a government only after Colonial Secretary Reginald Maudling agreed to amendments of the 1962 Constitution. It proves that the Holy See backed Archbishop Gonzi in his struggle with the M.L.P. and shows why reconciliation between Party and Church was unachievable during the pre-independence period. It lays bare the informal, but effective H.M.G.-Church collaboration during the final period of Malta’s colonialism.

It reveals Colonial Secretary Duncan Sandys’ deliberate attempt to render the independence referendum inconclusive. It shows that British Prime Minister Douglas-Home was quite prepared to use force to maintain a British presence in Malta should Mintoff tear-up the AngloMaltese defence agreement. The book also definitely lays to rest the spurious claim that Borg Olivier was easily out-manoeuvred by the British.

A tome such as ‘Fortress Colony’ (or rather a series of books) must take a considerable amount of time and effort to create... how long did it take you in all, as far as research, interviews and writing is concerned?

That’s easily answered. Forty years. I would like to express my thanks to the many people who have helped me complete my project, particularly my wife for her unwavering support and my son Edward for making his computer skills available and always being there when needed.