In the 1980s the Republic of Zejtun was established in the south of Malta. It was perhaps more akin to anarchy than to a republic. Its citizens were exempt for the laws that bound the rest of us. If they felt that they were provoked they could resort to violence with impunity. They also had the right to decide what constituted provocation. Being a Nationalist, or speaking as a Nationalist or speaking in favour of a Nationalist was provocation enough. You could be beaten or shot at. If you were lucky the police would stay at bay; if you were unlucky the police would join in the fun. It was their duty not to let the dastardly Nationalists provoke the gentle inhabitants of the Republic of Zejtun.
The brouhaha that characterised that Republic was condemned by many, including sincere Labourites. These were shocked that the name of their party was being degraded by these criminals. While the Labour administration of that period was unable or unwilling to control them, the administration of Dr Alfred Sant rid the Partit Laburista of these nefarious elements. The country moved on in the belief that civility demands that differing political persuasions should never be considered to be...
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