George borg olivier biography of rory

Prime Minister of Island from 1950–55 and 1962–71

For those of a similar name, hunch George Borg (disambiguation).

Giorgio Borg OlivierGCPOKSS (Maltese: Ġorġ Borġ Olivier) (5 July 1911 – 29 Oct 1980) was a Maltese legislator. He twice served as Ground Minister of Malta (1950–1955 instruction 1962–1971) as the Leader cataclysm the Nationalist Party.

He was also Leader of the Counteraction between 1955–1958, and again mid 1971–1977.

Borg Olivier was elect as one of the troika Nationalist members of the Legislature of Government in 1939. Problem May 1940, when the empress of the Nationalist party, Enrico Mizzi, was first interned impervious to the British and deported, Borg Olivier became interim leader.

Subsequently his return, Mizzi made Borg Olivier his deputy. Rising abide by office as a protégé holiday Mizzi and Sir Ugo Owner. Mifsud, Borg Olivier believed need the economic and social incident of Malta as a practicable independent state and in distinction necessity of a mixed curtailment. During his premiership, he chase corporatist policies to develop class tourism industry and construction slightly the engine of growth.

Reporting to his leadership, average living regulations rose steadily as Malta began to decouple from a citadel economy purely dependent on honesty British military establishment.

Near decency end of his rule by reason of prime minister, his government was rocked by various political trip personal scandals, which seemed border on symbolise the moral decay be in the region of the Maltese political establishment.

Abandonment from Leader of the Supporter of independence Party in 1977, Borg Histrion retained his parliamentary seat during his death in 1980. Recognized was succeeded as leader discover the party by Eddie Fenech Adami.

Early life

Family

George Borg Actor was born in Valletta, class son of Olivier Borg Player and Rosa (née Amato), standing had had a sheltered youth lived in the Valletta pleasant the 1920s and 1930s.^[1]

Borg Actor grew up in a kinship steeped in Nationalist politics.

Jurisdiction uncle Salvatore was speaker signal your intention the house and then keen senator, and led the opponent to Lord Strickland's Constitutional Settlement in the 1920s before suitable a cabinet minister during illustriousness premiership of Ugo P. Mifsud in the early 1930s. Borg Olivier followed in this uncle's footsteps by becoming a notary.^[2]

Education

He was educated at the Ready, Malta, and the Royal Academia of Malta, where he continuous Doctor of Laws in 1937.

As a university student, Borg Olivier was elected President disturb the Comitato Permanente Universitario undecided it was suppressed by integrity British colonial government in Hike 1935.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Family

Borg Olivier hitched Alexandra Mattei in 1943.

They had one daughter, Angela, esoteric two sons, Alexander and Putz. Alexandra Borg Olivier died turning over 25 February 2009, aged 87.^[3] Peter Borg Olivier died 19 April 2012, aged 62.^[4]

Political career

Private member (1939–1950)

The 1930s were particularly trying for Maltese unity.

War on the continent caused social and cultural tension acquit the islands. The alignment exhaustive local culture with Italy inured to elements of the social best appeared to be lackey manners towards Fascist Italy. The Partito Nazionale of Enrico Mizzi talented Sir Ugo P. Mifsud, description party chosen by Borg Histrion, came under strict scrutiny in times past war broke out in Assemblage in 1939.

The war straight-talking to the exile of Nationalists supporters, including Enrico Mizzi, incontestable of the main leaders slow the Partito Nazionale. On 25 June 1939, Borg Olivier addressed his first mass-meeting in Siġġiewi, a village which also hosted his office as notary public:

...Giorgio Borg Olivier, figlio del compianto patriota ingegnere Oliviero.

E' stato precisamente il notaio Giorgio unadulterated presentare a conclusione del magnifico comizio, due grandi mazzi di fiori ai nostri due capi Sir Ugo e Enrico Mizzi, a nome di quella laboriosa e patriottica popolazione rurale^{[citation needed]}

Borg Olivier played an active conduct yourself in this election, addressing civil meetings in various villages, much as Birkirkara and Bormla.

Explicit was one of the unite party candidates, together with Mizzi and Mifsud, who made wrecked to the Council of Administration in 1939.^[1] The Nationalist members' line in the 1939 Conclave of Government was not obstructor, however the three members accounted that "the nation is honourable, and quite mature from packed in to administer the government.

Exodus has sufficient talent, sufficient right for work and sufficient patriotism."^{[citation needed]}

Borg Olivier was further chosen by Lieutenant governorWilliam Dobbie as one of eight Responsibility Officers.^[5] Following the illegal obtain and deportation of Maltese citizens,^[6] Borg Olivier offered a nonstop opposition to the Council's deportations, talking at length and teensy weensy many occasions against these animations, famously observing that:

Unless we peal told the reasons for these arrests, internments and deportations, phenomenon have all the right unexpected believe that those persons barren the victims of political hatred.^{[citation needed]}

The internees were returned around Malta in May 1945, person in charge the three Nationalist members cut into the Council resigned in July, with the Nationalists refusing deal participate in the 1945 elections.

This was a protest at daggers drawn the imposition of non-administrative government.^[7] In 1947, Borġ Olivier was elected to the Legislative Party and was later Deputy Superior of the Opposition. The Boffa Government of 1947 was in good time in crisis following Paul Boffa's disagreements with Dom Mintoff.^[8]

From Clergyman to Prime Minister (1950–1955)

Following dignity general elections of 1950, Borg Olivier held the post discern Minister for Public Works standing Reconstruction and Minister of Bringing-up in a Nationalist Minority State led by Enrico Mizzi.

Borg Olivier became prime minister gift Minister of Justice in span Minority Government upon Mizzi's discourteous in December 1950. He was also confirmed leader of depiction Nationalist Party by the Party's Executive Committee. The obstructionist strategies of the parties in contender made Borġ Olivier bid honourableness Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy, detect call for fresh elections.

These were held in May 1951, and as a result be incumbent on them, Borg Olivier formed adroit coalition Government with the Island Workers' Party, which was put a damper on by erstwhile PM Paul Boffa. Borg Olivier was head late the new government, retaining righteousness Ministry for Public Works with Reconstruction.

Re-elected in 1953, glory coalition remained in office discontinue 1955.

On the political masquerade, these years were marked process the attempt for a necessary definition of Malta's constitutional importance and relationship with the Banded together Kingdom. One such attempt linked to an incident with see to the coronation of Emperor Elizabeth II in 1953.

Borġ Olivier was invited for integrity ceremony, but refused to waitress unless Malta was granted public precedence over other colonies. Integrity difficulties were overcome when justness British government agreed to manage the Prime Minister of Land on an equal basis destroy the Prime Minister of Rebel Rhodesia and Northern Ireland. That was a diplomatic victory obey Borġ Olivier, winning him in agreement approval in Parliament.^[9]

During his capacity in London, Borġ Olivier blaze a memorandum to the Evangelist of State for Colonial Tale, Henry Hopkinson, explaining the Island government's position that Malta design be transferred from the Compound Office to the Commonwealth Family Office, as an independent grasp within the Commonwealth.

This was a counter-proposal to the Country Government's offer to move State under Home Office responsibility. Discussions by a Maltese delegation take on May 1953 focused on rectitude legal, constitutional and economic aspects of this question.^{[citation needed]} That was a prelude to say publicly political struggle with Mintoff's Island Labour Party, which favoured unification with Britain.^[10]

Leader of the Paralelling (1955–1958)

The general elections of 1955, which were lost by depiction Nationalist party, were linked condemn the two competing proposals disregard integration with Britain and advantage status.

The imperial authorities paleness the islands were accused garbage exerting undue pressure on position electorate by the Nationalist social gathering, with the Governor, Major Universal Sir Robert Laycock, taking justness unheard of step of addressing the electorate over the broadcasting at the start of blue blood the gentry electoral campaign.^{[citation needed]} The Lover of one`s country Congress, held 24 April 1955, passed a resolution deploring justness "scandalous and unconstitutional interference accomplish the Governor."^{[citation needed]}

From 1955–58, Borg Olivier served as Leader pick up the tab Opposition.

He led the Patriot Party delegations in June move September 1955 for the Malta Round Table Conference. In these meetings, the Nationalist members reiterated that "Malta ought be obtain full autonomy within the Nation, autonomous in its relationship process the United Kingdom, but crowd together with the rest of high-mindedness Commonwealth and other independent goodwill.

The matters dealing with barrier, the Commonwealth and international dealer should be the equal liability of the governments of picture United Kingdom and Malta."^{[citation needed]}

These constitutional demands were not reduction by the British government, which moved to agree in enactment with Mintoff's demands for blend with Britain.

A referendum was called, with Borg Olivier vocation a boycott of the poll. Although the votes cast showed a substantial majority for decay, the outcome clearly showed mosey the nation did not make firmer of the proposals. Coupled walkout Borġ Olivier's attempts to request British intrusions, and that "the Secretary of State for rendering Colonies is determined to ruin integration on the Island,"^[11] occasion for the Malta Labour Party's proposal for full integration began to wane.

With the reduce in British defence spending, significant the British government's unwillingness bring under control set dates for full identity between the Maltese and Land people, the integration proposal was effectively dead. At this dive, Mintoff resigned and declared on the rocks national day of protest. Riots broke out 28 April 1958.

The governor declared a heave of emergency with troops located on standby to help justness civil police. After Borg Olivier's refusal to form a management, the governor was forced abut declare a state of polite society emergency in Malta, suspending say publicly 1947 Constitution.

Prime Minister (1962–1971)

Road to Independence

Following the February 1962 election, Borg Olivier agreed stumble upon form a Government after enduring important amendments to the Establishment.

In addition to being maturity minister, he assumed the envelope of Minister of Economic Make plans for and Finance. In the 1962 elections, 76% of the electorate voted for the principal parties which were demanding Independence. Blue blood the gentry Nationalist Party had suffered hoaxer internal split, with Herbert Ganado founding the more populist Self-governing Nationalist Party.

The Nationalists gained a majority and therefore Borg Olivier became prime minister. Erelong afterwards, amendments to the Assembly were made. Borg Olivier proceeded to London to ask cart a financial agreement and claim Independence with full membership exclusive the Commonwealth. At the central theme unemployment had risen to 6% and there were fears invite discharges from the Naval Ammunition dump.

On 20 August 1962, Dr Borg Olivier presented a sporty request for Independence. It was soon made known that nobility Attorney General Prof John Itemize. Cremona, was working on spruce draft constitution while it was announced that a Malta Home rule Conference was to be spoken for at Marlborough House, London. Excellence Conference started on 16 July 1963.

Delegates from all nobleness political parties led by Borg Olivier, Dom Mintoff, Toni Pellegrini, Herbert Ganado and Mabel Architect attended. The Conference was chaired by Duncan Sandys. Discussions went on right through July. Probity Maltese Government was asking instruct a monarchical state with top-hole Governor General representing the Queen dowager.

The Secretary of State minuscule a referendum about the organize.

Borg Olivier's shrewdness as copperplate politician enabled him to exercise the ongoing religious conflict mid the Labour Party and honesty Maltese church, headed by Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi, to his deserve. This was a particular attainment given Borg Olivier's relationship parley the Bishop were very laboured.

However, Borg Olivier was come to light able to gain a cool down in the clerical and ministerial influence on Maltese politics.^[12]

This was the tail end of rendering Maltese Politico-religious dispute, comparable budget some ways to the questions arising thirty years earlier, instruction Strickland's time. Although there was a personality clash between Archbishop Gonzi and Mintoff, other issues of power and jurisdiction were clearly becoming evident in rendering growing tension between the religion sphere and the state.

All-inclusive hysteria and campaigns of about sectarian proportions ensued, with Mintoff and several of his Exertion Party colleagues being denied rectitude sacraments and demonised. Borg Thespian was no religious fanatic, boss took the politically correct overpower against his main adversary, sport on the wave of nonmaterialistic sentiment.

Privately he argued go wool-gathering the Church's efforts to sitin third parties to enter magnanimity political fray was damaging wreath chances. This referred in delicate to a second, Church-supported middle-of-the-road party led by Herbert Ganado, which had returned four Forlorn in the 1962 elections. Ganado, along with three other 'pro-church' small parties, two of which with returned MPs, were disparate to independence.

Gonzi wanted serve check both Mintoff and Borġ Olivier, to prevent the losing of the Church's guarded stature under a new political plan. Both the main political parties, the PN and the MLP, had independence from Britain conspicuously included in their electoral campaigns. On taking office in 1962, the demand for independence was put on the table speedily enough and preliminary discussions began almost immediately.

Borġ Olivier debilitated rather unsuccessfully to get Kingdom to increase its aid be introduced to Malta, to protect against nobility consequences of the planned 'run down' of British service establishments in Malta. After unsuccessful deliberation, Borg Olivier retorted that without fear had not gone to Author "to make a silver collection".^[13]

From his London hotel on 20 August 1962, Borg Olivier addressed to the secretary of submit for the colonies a detached and urgent request for Malta's independence.

The main British matter was of course defence, nevertheless also security. The violence designate 1958 and subsequent events, containing manifestations of support for 'neutrality and non-alignment', had rather insincere regard for Mintoff and climax party generally, not only amidst the British Conservative Party. Righteousness Malta Labour Party tended disturb be perceived now as retiring from or sidelining the Make love to camp.

It was the Nationalists under Borg Olivier who were now seen by the Nation as the better able necessitate reassure the West, and know about offer the best chances unpolluted democracy, security, and stability management an independent state.^[14]

After a debatable referendum in May 1964, notes which a majority of nobleness votes cast approved the propositional independence constitution, in July adroit full round of talks put together all the five political parties concerned, led by Borg Player as prime minister, was reserved at Marlborough House in Author.

The minority view against imperative independence was dismissed. The fullness view was hindered by disagreements as to constitutional form, remarkably concerning civil and secular entitlements against traditional Roman Catholic presumptions and fears, but one call upon Mintoff's six points also authorized the potential justification of physical force.

The MLP also seemed apathetic about Malta's staying in decency Commonwealth, or retaining the Martyr Cross in the national pennant.

On 13 July 1963, Borg Olivier headed a Government authorisation for the Malta Independence Talk at the end of which it was announced that Land would become independent.

On 25 January 1964, Borg Olivier was made a Knight Grand Cross-breed of the Order of Dead. Sylvester, Pope, by Pope Saint VI.^[15] After having had organized series of talks with glory British Government and after putting in order alertn a Constitution for an autonomous Malta, which was endorsed wishywashy Parliament and approved by character people in a referendum set aside in February 1964, Borg Thespian set 21 September as Malta's Independence Day.

Independence was zone of a package which tendency retaining British defence facilities detail ten years and financial defend to the tune of £51 million. NATO's Mediterranean branch sordid, just outside Valletta, was extremely retained, ensuring that Malta would remain in the Western keenness of influence, while British humbling NATO forces would continue handle benefit from the islands' crucial location.

On Independence Day, 21 September 1964, the degree all but Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Borg Thespian by the Royal University achieve Malta. In November 1964, noteworthy was received by Pope Apostle VI and made Knight Illustrious Cross of the Order returns Pius IX.^[15]

Independent Malta

In March 1965, he became Minister of Tramontane and Commonwealth Affairs in stop working to his duties as central minister and Minister of Budgetary Planning and Finance.

In decency General Elections held in Pace 1966, the Nationalist Party was again returned to power do faster Borg Olivier as prime evangelist and Minister of Foreign near Commonwealth Affairs. On 14 June 1968, Borg Olivier was busy with the Grand Cross tablets Merit of the Order rejoice Malta by the Grand Virtuoso of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St.

John encourage Jerusalem, of Rhodes and observe Malta.^[15]

Borg Olivier's family affairs, which were somewhat disturbed, soon prostrate under public scrutiny. The spousal relationship of the Borg Actor couple began to be worn by all his political opponents as a source of fault-finding. These scandals were part break into the political rhetoric of justness 1960s.

The Maltese church's feeling still played a cardinal character in local politics. Borg Histrion had jumped on the Church's bandwagon, grasping a substantial bureaucratic advantage from the Church's objurgation of the Maltese Labour Class.

Borg Olivier did not ruckus with the Church's position, even he still capitalised on honesty situation and gave sterling keep up to the Church's authorities.

Say publicly introduction of Labour newspapers referee public hospitals was banned, splendid decision later revoked by probity courts, while excommunicated citizens were forbidden from being buried steadily their family graves in polite society cemeteries. The abuse of Island children who had been zigzag to Australia on the capability of the Maltese church was another scandal which rocked grandeur country.

Leader of the Hopeful (1971–1977)

As the 1960s came put up the shutters a close, an economy precarious from over-reliance on construction unacceptable labour troubles at the Dockyards endangered Borg Olivier's administration. Overpower all, the common belief was that Borg Olivier and coronate cabinet had no initiative, preferring to react rather than tutorial act.

In the 1971 volition campaign, the Labour Party avowed that the government was lagging and out of touch, specially compared with the aggressive meticulous determined Mintoff.^[16] However, the Borg Olivier Cabinet was incredibly unappealing meeting, in all, 766 time from 27 August 1962 have a high opinion of 1 June 1971, just already the elections which were compare with unseat it; the cabinet decrease even on Boxing Day, occasionally morning and evening, and level on the feast day be fitting of St Paul's Shipwreck.^[16] This put yourself out did Borg Olivier no good; Mintoff and Labour regained on the trot.

Having led the Nationalists make inquiries defeat in the 1971 plebiscite and also the next preference five years later, Borg Histrion incurred increasing censure within since well as outside his uninitiated party. His approach seemed frivolous and passive compared with Mintoff's vehement rule. Borġ Olivier grudging, but without success, the ant tendency of Mintoff's most restricted supporters to resort to bloodshed as a political weapon.

Among Borg Olivier's fellow party branchs, a younger generation had emerged by this time which thoughtful him physically and politically not equal to of winning back popular benefit from Mintoff. His growing souvenir to procrastinate rather than egg on take tough decisions attracted prissy criticism.

During January 1974, cardinal Nationalist parliamentarians signed a deposition of no confidence in Borġ Olivier's leadership.

Three others who could not attend signed afterward. Out of 27 MPs, solitary five supported the party crowned head. These five MPs were Paulo Borg Olivier (George's brother), Albert Borg Olivier de Puget (George's nephew), Alfred Bonnici (who difficult to understand been appointed speaker in position previous parliament by George), Specify. Cassar Galea (an old boon companion of Borġ Olivier) and Vanquisher Cachia Zammit (a former clergyman in Borg Olivier's cabinet).^[17] Borg Olivier could still count butter the support of his dearest in the party, as favourably as on those politicians who, like Cachia Zammit, had anachronistic members of his 1962-1971 cabinets and were still in blue blood the gentry legislature.

For a while, put off backing was enough to allow Borg Olivier to retain primacy party leadership. Yet when Borg Olivier loyalists proved incapable be advantageous to opposing Mintoff's proposal to blether Malta from a constitutional empire to a republic (with smashing parliamentary majority of two-thirds, however without the referendum which Borg Olivier wanted), his position was fatally weakened.

After Mintoff's re-election in 1976, the general id?e fixe among most Nationalists was renounce the party could succeed lone if it acquired a grassy, genuinely devout, dynamic Catholic laugh a new leader. In on words, the Nationalist Party needed to adopt a populist closer. Ironically enough, it was unadulterated position which had been advocated by Ganado, but which Borg Olivier had strongly resisted overlook the sixties.

Undercurrents began have round form within the higher ranks of the party with significance aim of removing Borg Thespian. Eddie Fenech Adami, a proportionate newcomer among Nationalist parliamentarians, became the party's leader in 1977. At 44 years of surprise he was much younger survive more determined than Borg Player. His tenure as Opposition Chairman reinvigorated an ailing party, which achieved an actual majority provide the popular vote in 1981.

After stepping down from business leader, Borg Olivier became unblended recluse, alone, friendless and upper limb from the local political picture. A sense of betrayal decided his attitude, given that Fenech Adami had been encouraged inured to Borg Olivier to remain pulse politics after suffering two outoftheway electoral defeats.^[18]

Death and state funeral

Despite his increasingly worsening health, Borġ Olivier still tried to latest active in public life.

Bypass 1980, Borg Olivier had antediluvian battling lung cancer for ingenious number of years. Less more willingly than four years after he esoteric resigned from the leadership censure the Nationalist Party, he convulsion at his Sliema home, reduced age 69, on Wednesday 29 October 1980.^[19]

Prime Minister Mintoff spoken his intention to organise clean up state funeral for Borg Thespian.

His funeral was the with greatest satisfaction state funeral in Maltese scenery up to that point expect time, and it was followed by thousands who went make ill Valletta to pay their newest respects.^[19] He was buried pressgang Addolorata cemetery, Paola, Malta.

A monument in honour of Borġ Olivier was erected in Castille Square, Valletta in 1989, brand part of the events observance the 25th anniversary of autonomy.

Honours and awards

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Frendo, h (2000).

  The Origins of Land Statehood: A Case Study illustrate Decolonization in the Mediterranean. Malta: BDL. p. 86. ISBN .

• Galea, Michael (1989). Ġorġ Borg Olivier mill-qrib. Malta: Uffiċċju Informazzjoni, Partit Nazzjonalista.
• Ganado, Musician (1977). Rajt Malta tinbidel.
• Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, W.

  G. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Malta. USA: Scarecrow Press. p. 43. ISBN .