Why British legacy matters

I  refer to Charles Xuereb’s article (July 30) where he complained about the number of British statues and artefacts, going back to the British colonial period, that are to be found dotted around Valletta and elsewhere.

When I talk about the British legacy to Malta, it is clear where I am coming from. I am an admirer of Britain and all things British. But I am also now – like many Maltese of my generation – an internationalist capable of looking back on the British legacy to Malta objectively and without rose-coloured spectacles.

I was fortunate to catch the tail-end of the British Empire, with Britain still then an important and powerful country which had been instrumental in saving Europe from German Nazism and Italian Fascism (albeit almost bankrupted by its efforts). Our grandparents knew Britain in the 19th century when it was the world’s superpower.

More than 60 years after independence, Malta is now able to look back on a century-and-a-half of colonial rule with a measure of objectivity. It is now a successful – indeed, a thriving – parliamentary democracy with a remarkably solid economy. As one looks both south and north along the Mediterranean littoral, it is indeed a beacon of light in this turbulent sea: affluent, democratic, homogeneous and free. Much of that success can be attributed to the foundations laid by the British legacy to Malta all those years ago.

What legacy you might ask? I would begin by pointing at the English language.

We have been fortunate that the founding fathers of our constitution were far-seeing and broad-minded enough to make English one of the official languages of Malta after Maltese. That decision has ensured that in an island that borders both Africa and Europe, that is uniquely placed at a cross-roads, a nation that is blessed with the facility to learn, speak and use English, gains an advantage of incalculable proportions over other countries in this region.

English has given Malta the ability and the means to conduct and attract business, commerce and visitors to these islands, to the considerable benefit of our economy and the enrichment of our culture. Our bilingualism gives us a huge competitive edge. Malta’s use of English helps it to achieve its goals of economic growth, international communications and friendship. English has been our lifeline to the world.

Next, I would place the solid institutions that were established painfully (sometimes in the face of British opposition), during the colonial period.

They still survive and thrive to this day. Prime among these is our liberal parliamentary democracy; a vibrant house of representatives; an embedded electoral system which invariably witnesses an extremely high proportion of voters.

All can trace their roots a hundred or more years ago. When we look at countries around us, we find that Malta’s parliamentary system is virtually unique.

It is a system learnt from the British and modelled on their institutions. It gives Malta a priceless stability when compared to our neighbours both to the south and the north.

While Malta’s civil law is essentially Napoleon’s legacy to Malta, the criminal law is largely British. More importantly, however, the concept of the rule of law – even though we tend to be careless about it – is derived from an understanding, which is British: that it forms the bedrock of any democracy. The judiciary, the armed forces and police, Malta’s education system, the civil service and the concept of freedom of speech and the media – also stem from institutional structures honed during the British period. Unless institutions have strong roots, democracy and good governance cannot work.

English has been our lifeline to the world- Martin Scicluna

The foundations of Malta’s infrastructure – the airport, the harbour, road networks, aquifers, sewage system, water and electricity – were all laid down or were expanded during the British period.

Almost every sport played in Malta – most passionately football but also athletics, rugby and tennis – owes its origins to the British armed services and the love of sport which they inculcated in the Maltese.

Village band clubs were a growth phenomenon throughout the British stay. Driving on the left – even though we do it so badly – is also a part of the legacy.

Though the last 60 years have witnessed an appalling neglect of some aspects of British-built cultural heritage, there is now a growing appreciation that colonial architecture and especially the military fortifications offer an outstanding legacy which is not only historically important but also aesthetically pleasing.

The jewel in the crown of Malta’s British cultural heritage is the presence of the George Cross on the Maltese flag. Far from being a mark of colonialism, as some who have no understanding of history sometimes foolishly assert, the George Cross is an outstanding tribute to that generation of Maltese people – our parents, grandparents and those my age – who suffered and fought willingly, bravely and fervently against Nazism and Fascism. The George Cross is a distinguishing mark of valour and Malta is unique among countries of the world in bearing it proudly on its flag.

Despite the inevitable political tensions that sometimes divided Maltese and British politicians over the centuries, the other strong legacy of Anglo-Maltese relations is the cross-pollination between the two nations which has taken place over the last two centuries. We can see this most vividly in the intermarriages which have taken place and the honourable English and Scottish family names that have now become Maltese: the Millers, Warringtons, Dunbars, Smiths and others.

Above all, the British legacy is epitomised by the strong and abiding friendship that exists today, when Malta, a proud sovereign state in the European Union and the Commonwealth, stands shoulder to shoulder again with Britain, head held high on so many issues of common concern.

Martin Scicluna is a former president of Din l-Art Ħelwa and a former Times of Malta columnist.