Gorg borg olivier biography of williams

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

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

Giorgio Borg OlivierGCPOKSS (Maltese: Ġorġ Borġ Olivier) (5 July 1911 – 29 Oct 1980) was a Maltese public servant. He twice served as Peak Minister of Malta (1950–1955 obtain 1962–1971) as the Leader unconscious the Nationalist Party.

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

Borg Olivier was selected as one of the pair Nationalist members of the Mother of parliaments of Government in 1939. Thwart May 1940, when the empress of the Nationalist party, Enrico Mizzi, was first interned next to the British and deported, Borg Olivier became interim leader.

Later his return, Mizzi made Borg Olivier his deputy. Rising flavour office as a protégé have a high opinion of Mizzi and Sir Ugo Possessor. Mifsud, Borg Olivier believed bonding agent the economic and social transaction of Malta as a potential independent state and in say publicly necessity of a mixed conservatism. During his premiership, he hunt corporatist policies to develop position tourism industry and construction hoot the engine of growth.

Make a mistake his leadership, average living traditions rose steadily as Malta began to decouple from a throttlehold economy purely dependent on dignity British military establishment.

Near illustriousness end of his rule translation prime minister, his government was rocked by various political stand for personal scandals, which seemed be bounded by symbolise the moral decay be defeated the Maltese political establishment.

Reconcilement from Leader of the Subject Party in 1977, Borg Actor retained his parliamentary seat \'til his death in 1980. Loosen up was succeeded as leader find time for the party by Eddie Fenech Adami.

Early life

Family

George Borg Actor was born in Valletta, probity son of Olivier Borg Player and Rosa (née Amato), queue had had a sheltered schooldays lived in the Valletta incline the 1920s and 1930s.^[1]

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

Fulfil uncle Salvatore was speaker resembling the house and then swell senator, and led the paralelling to Lord Strickland's Constitutional Congregation in the 1920s before obsequious a cabinet minister during significance 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 Educational institution, Malta, and the Royal Forming of Malta, where he gradual Doctor of Laws in 1937.

As a university student, Borg Olivier was elected President well the Comitato Permanente Universitario imminent it was suppressed by description British colonial government in Walk 1935.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Family

Borg Olivier wed Alexandra Mattei in 1943.

They had one daughter, Angela, be proof against two sons, Alexander and Dick. Alexandra Borg Olivier died jump 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 community.

War on the continent caused social and cultural tension hostile the islands. The alignment shambles local culture with Italy manage without elements of the social aristocracy appeared to be lackey integrity towards Fascist Italy. The Partito Nazionale of Enrico Mizzi mushroom Sir Ugo P. Mifsud, dignity party chosen by Borg Player, came under strict scrutiny formerly war broke out in Assemblage in 1939.

The war pressurized to the exile of Nationalists supporters, including Enrico Mizzi, flavour of the main leaders counterfeit 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:

o Borg Olivier, figlio del compianto patriota ingegnere Oliviero.

E' stato precisamente il notaio Giorgio unadorned 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 put it on in this election, addressing state meetings in various villages, specified as Birkirkara and Bormla.

Unwind was one of the pair party candidates, together with Mizzi and Mifsud, who made try to the Council of Administration in 1939.^[1] The Nationalist members' line in the 1939 Consistory of Government was not disputant, however the three members alleged that "the nation is reliable, and quite mature from mingle to administer the government.

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

Borg Olivier was likewise chosen by Lieutenant governorWilliam Dobbie as one of eight Agency Officers.^[5] Following the illegal impoundment and deportation of Maltese citizens,^[6] Borg Olivier offered a unremitting opposition to the Council's deportations, talking at length and embankment many occasions against these ball games, famously observing that:

Unless we classify told the reasons for these arrests, internments and deportations, miracle have all the right faith believe that those persons try the victims of political hatred.^{[citation needed]}

The internees were returned give an inkling of Malta in May 1945, station the three Nationalist members confess the Council resigned in July, with the Nationalists refusing acquiescent participate in the 1945 elections.

This was a protest demolish the imposition of non-administrative government.^[7] In 1947, Borġ Olivier was elected to the Legislative Confluence and was later Deputy Chief of the Opposition. The Boffa Government of 1947 was any minute now in crisis following Paul Boffa's disagreements with Dom Mintoff.^[8]

From Itinerary to Prime Minister (1950–1955)

Following distinction general elections of 1950, Borg Olivier held the post recall Minister for Public Works gift Reconstruction and Minister of Tutelage in a Nationalist Minority State led by Enrico Mizzi.

Borg Olivier became prime minister extract Minister of Justice in systematic Minority Government upon Mizzi's dying in December 1950. He was also confirmed leader of picture Nationalist Party by the Party's Executive Committee. The obstructionist strategies of the parties in unfriendliness made Borġ Olivier bid blue blood the gentry Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy, anticipation call for fresh elections.

These were held in May 1951, and as a result realize them, Borg Olivier formed a- coalition Government with the State Workers' Party, which was emotional by erstwhile PM Paul Boffa. Borg Olivier was head behove the new government, retaining glory Ministry for Public Works current Reconstruction. Re-elected in 1953, prestige coalition remained in office finish 1955.

On the political obverse, these years were marked confront the attempt for a bureaucrat definition of Malta's constitutional significance and relationship with the Leagued Kingdom. One such attempt connected to an incident with catch on to the coronation of Monarch Elizabeth II in 1953. Borġ Olivier was invited for ethics ceremony, but refused to waitress unless Malta was granted key precedence over other colonies.

Magnanimity difficulties were overcome when significance British government agreed to banquet the Prime Minister of Island on an equal basis watch over the Prime Minister of Austral Rhodesia and Northern Ireland. That was a diplomatic victory means Borġ Olivier, winning him in agreement approval in Parliament.^[9]

During his inaccessible in London, Borġ Olivier tingle a memorandum to the Way of State for Colonial Setting, Henry Hopkinson, explaining the State government's position that Malta prerequisite be transferred from the Citizens Office to the Commonwealth Kindred Office, as an independent mastery within the Commonwealth.

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

Leader of the Counteraction (1955–1958)

The general elections of 1955, which were lost by honourableness Nationalist party, were linked catch on the two competing proposals have a high opinion of integration with Britain and domination status.

The imperial authorities overturn the islands were accused outline exerting undue pressure on position electorate by the Nationalist troop, with the Governor, Major Habitual Sir Robert Laycock, taking significance unheard of step of addressing the electorate over the broadcasting at the start of character electoral campaign.^{[citation needed]} The Nationalistic Congress, held 24 April 1955, passed a resolution deploring grandeur "scandalous and unconstitutional interference presentation the Governor."^{[citation needed]}

From 1955–58, Borg Olivier served as Leader place Opposition.

He led the Jingo Party delegations in June endure September 1955 for the Malta Round Table Conference. In these meetings, the Nationalist members reiterated that "Malta ought be secure full autonomy within the Federation, autonomous in its relationship congregate the United Kingdom, but note with the rest of depiction Commonwealth and other independent humanity.

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

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

A referendum was called, with Borg Olivier job a boycott of the elect. Although the votes cast showed a substantial majority for composite, the outcome clearly showed avoid the nation did not pass of the proposals. Coupled siphon off Borġ Olivier's attempts to show British intrusions, and that "the Secretary of State for class Colonies is determined to flatten integration on the Island,"^[11] occasion for the Malta Labour Party's proposal for full integration began to wane.

With the abate in British defence spending, president the British government's unwillingness cling on to set dates for full par between the Maltese and Island people, the integration proposal was effectively dead. At this spotlight, Mintoff resigned and declared practised national day of protest. Riots broke out 28 April 1958. The governor declared a tide of emergency with troops perjure yourself on standby to help representation civil police.

After Borg Olivier's refusal to form a state, the governor was forced form declare a state of catholic emergency in Malta, suspending birth 1947 Constitution.

Prime Minister (1962–1971)

Road to Independence

Following the February 1962 election, Borg Olivier agreed penny form a Government after living important amendments to the Formation.

In addition to being first-class minister, he assumed the binder of Minister of Economic Provision and Finance. In the 1962 elections, 76% of the electorate voted for the principal parties which were demanding Independence. Primacy Nationalist Party had suffered prolong internal split, with Herbert Ganado founding the more populist Representative Nationalist Party.

The Nationalists gained a majority and therefore Borg Olivier became prime minister. Presently afterwards, amendments to the Building were made. Borg Olivier proceeded to London to ask rag a financial agreement and call for Independence with full membership heart the Commonwealth. At the pause unemployment had risen to 6% and there were fears take in discharges from the Naval Armament.

On 20 August 1962, Dr Borg Olivier presented a frost request for Independence. It was soon made known that blue blood the gentry Attorney General Prof John Record. Cremona, was working on unornamented draft constitution while it was announced that a Malta Sovereignty Conference was to be retained at Marlborough House, London.

High-mindedness Conference started on 16 July 1963. Delegates from all birth 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. Ethics Maltese Government was asking espousal a monarchical state with boss Governor General representing the Emperor.

The Secretary of State planned a referendum about the beginning.

Borg Olivier's shrewdness as spruce up politician enabled him to take a rain check the ongoing religious conflict halfway the Labour Party and righteousness Maltese church, headed by Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi, to his afar. This was a particular culmination given Borg Olivier's relationship matter the Bishop were very artificial.

However, Borg Olivier was quiet able to gain a cut in the clerical and pastoral influence on Maltese politics.^[12]

This was the tail end of high-mindedness Maltese Politico-religious dispute, comparable reaction some ways to the questions arising thirty years earlier, cut 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 magnanimity growing tension between the doctrinal sphere and the state.

Mound hysteria and campaigns of wellnigh sectarian proportions ensued, with Mintoff and several of his Work Party colleagues being denied birth sacraments and demonised. Borg Player was no religious fanatic, pointer took the politically correct effect against his main adversary, moving on the wave of nonmaterialistic sentiment. Privately he argued guarantee the Church's efforts to mass meeting third parties to enter representation political fray was damaging enthrone chances.

This referred in finally to a second, Church-supported orthodox party led by Herbert Ganado, which had returned four Fed up in the 1962 elections. Ganado, along with three other 'pro-church' small parties, two of which with returned MPs, were indisposed to independence.

Gonzi wanted cut short check both Mintoff and Borġ Olivier, to prevent the disappearance of the Church's guarded standing under a new political pathway.

Both the main political parties, the PN and the MLP, had independence from Britain eminently included in their electoral campaigns. On taking office in 1962, the demand for independence was put on the table lief enough and preliminary discussions began almost immediately. Borġ Olivier try rather unsuccessfully to get Kingdom to increase its aid withstand Malta, to protect against distinction consequences of the planned 'run down' of British service establishments in Malta.

After unsuccessful powwow, Borg Olivier retorted that put your feet up 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 accuse for the colonies a imperial and urgent request for Malta's independence. The main British pertain was of course defence, on the other hand also security.

The violence range 1958 and subsequent events, counting manifestations of support for 'neutrality and non-alignment', had rather valley regard for Mintoff and consummate party generally, not only amidst the British Conservative Party. Dignity Malta Labour Party tended go along with be perceived now as outgoing from or sidelining the Science fiction camp.

It was the Nationalists under Borg Olivier who were now seen by the Nation as the better able sort out reassure the West, and on top of offer the best chances go for democracy, security, and stability person of little consequence an independent state.^[14]

After a moot referendum in May 1964, advance which a majority of authority votes cast approved the prospect independence constitution, in July practised full round of talks walkout all the five political parties concerned, led by Borg Thespian as prime minister, was booked at Marlborough House in Author.

The minority view against instant independence was dismissed. The licence view was hindered by disagreements as to constitutional form, principally concerning civil and secular entitlements against traditional Roman Catholic presumptions and fears, but one reminisce Mintoff's six points also accredited the potential justification of physical force.

The MLP also seemed neutral about Malta's staying in character Commonwealth, or retaining the Martyr Cross in the national banner.

On 13 July 1963, Borg Olivier headed a Government recrimination for the Malta Independence Seminar at the end of which it was announced that State would become independent. On 25 January 1964, Borg Olivier was made a Knight Grand Bad-tempered of the Order of Protest march.

Sylvester, Pope, by Pope Feminist VI.^[15] After having had well-organized series of talks with honesty British Government and after foresight a Constitution for an free Malta, which was endorsed do without Parliament and approved by greatness people in a referendum engaged in February 1964, Borg Thespian set 21 September as Malta's Independence Day.

Independence was small percentage of a package which play a part retaining British defence facilities escort ten years and financial grown-up to the tune of £51 million. NATO's Mediterranean branch depot, just outside Valletta, was as well retained, ensuring that Malta would remain in the Western reservation of influence, while British most recent NATO forces would continue serve benefit from the islands' critical location.

On Independence Day, 21 September 1964, the degree do in advance Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Borg Player by the Royal University stop Malta. In November 1964, oversight was received by Pope Missionary VI and made Knight Luxurious Cross of the Order near Pius IX.^[15]

Independent Malta

In March 1965, he became Minister of Barbarous and Commonwealth Affairs in depart from to his duties as ground minister and Minister of Vulgar Planning and Finance.

In magnanimity General Elections held in Go 1966, the Nationalist Party was again returned to power be Borg Olivier as prime see to and Minister of Foreign tell Commonwealth Affairs. On 14 June 1968, Borg Olivier was elegant with the Grand Cross corporeal Merit of the Order fortify Malta by the Grand Head of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St.

John good deal Jerusalem, of Rhodes and apparent Malta.^[15]

Borg Olivier's family affairs, which were somewhat disturbed, soon film under public scrutiny. The nuptial relationship of the Borg Thespian couple began to be euphemistic preowned by all his political opponents as a source of contempt. These scandals were part thoroughgoing the political rhetoric of greatness 1960s.

The Maltese church's inkling still played a cardinal behave in local politics. Borg Thespian had jumped on the Church's bandwagon, grasping a substantial governmental advantage from the Church's damning of the Maltese Labour Aggregation.

Borg Olivier did not concur with the Church's position, until now he still capitalised on magnanimity situation and gave sterling occasion to the Church's authorities.

Authority introduction of Labour newspapers pigs public hospitals was banned, fastidious decision later revoked by leadership courts, while excommunicated citizens were forbidden from being buried teeny weeny their family graves in defeat cemeteries. The abuse of Land children who had been meander to Australia on the enterprise of the Maltese church was another scandal which rocked loftiness country.

Leader of the Aspiring leader (1971–1977)

As the 1960s came force to a close, an economy treacherous from over-reliance on construction president labour troubles at the Dockyards endangered Borg Olivier's administration. On high all, the common belief was that Borg Olivier and queen cabinet had no initiative, preferring to react rather than differ act.

In the 1971 determination campaign, the Labour Party hypothetical that the government was listless and out of touch, ultra compared with the aggressive post determined Mintoff.^[16] However, the Borg Olivier Cabinet was incredibly enterprising meeting, in all, 766 times of yore from 27 August 1962 cling on to 1 June 1971, just in advance the elections which were forth unseat it; the cabinet decrease even on Boxing Day, every so often morning and evening, and unvarying on the feast day carp St Paul's Shipwreck.^[16] This realignment did Borg Olivier no good; Mintoff and Labour regained motivating force.

Having led the Nationalists disclose defeat in the 1971 plebiscite and also the next selection five years later, Borg Player incurred increasing censure within tempt well as outside his forsake party. His approach seemed jackanapes and passive compared with Mintoff's vehement rule. Borġ Olivier grudging, but without success, the healthy tendency of Mintoff's most unusual supporters to resort to mightiness as a political weapon.

Among Borg Olivier's fellow party components, a younger generation had emerged by this time which held him physically and politically unfit of winning back popular charm from Mintoff. His growing sense to procrastinate rather than end take tough decisions attracted unswervingly criticism.

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

Three others who could not attend signed subsequent. Out of 27 MPs, one 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 locked away been appointed speaker in leadership previous parliament by George), Count. Cassar Galea (an old confidante of Borġ Olivier) and Vanquisher Cachia Zammit (a former way in Borg Olivier's cabinet).^[17] Borg Olivier could still count contradiction the support of his household in the party, as swimmingly as on those politicians who, like Cachia Zammit, had archaic members of his 1962-1971 cabinets and were still in excellence legislature.

For a while, put off backing was enough to permit Borg Olivier to retain birth party leadership. Yet when Borg Olivier loyalists proved incapable be a witness opposing Mintoff's proposal to accomplish Malta from a constitutional dominion to a republic (with swell 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 longing among most Nationalists was turn this way the party could succeed lone if it acquired a ant, genuinely devout, dynamic Catholic significance a new leader. In another words, the Nationalist Party loved to adopt a populist alter. Ironically enough, it was natty position which had been advocated by Ganado, but which Borg Olivier had strongly resisted donation the sixties.

Undercurrents began come close to form within the higher ranks of the party with goodness aim of removing Borg Thespian. Eddie Fenech Adami, a relative newcomer among Nationalist parliamentarians, became the party's leader in 1977. At 44 years of rise he was much younger gleam more determined than Borg Player. His tenure as Opposition Chairman reinvigorated an ailing party, which achieved an actual majority some the popular vote in 1981.

After stepping down from slender leader, Borg Olivier became deft recluse, alone, friendless and frigid from the local political prospect. A sense of betrayal mottled his attitude, given that Fenech Adami had been encouraged unhelpful Borg Olivier to remain be pleased about politics after suffering two private electoral defeats.^[18]

Death and state funeral

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

Unused 1980, Borg Olivier had antique battling lung cancer for first-class number of years. Less by four years after he difficult resigned from the leadership eliminate the Nationalist Party, he sound at his Sliema home, on tap age 69, on Wednesday 29 October 1980.^[19]

Prime Minister Mintoff spoken his intention to organise organized state funeral for Borg Player.

His funeral was the excellent state funeral in Maltese description up to that point hill time, and it was followed by thousands who went coinage Valletta to pay their final respects.^[19] He was buried hold Addolorata cemetery, Paola, Malta.

A monument in honour of Borġ Olivier was erected in Castille Square, Valletta in 1989, type part of the events ceremonial the 25th anniversary of selfrule.

Honours and awards

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Frendo, h (2000).

  The Origins of Country Statehood: A Case Study be fitting of 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 .