A referendum on integration with the United Kingdom was held in Malta on 11 and 12 February 1956. The proposals were approved by 77% of those who voted, on a turnout of 59%; the low turnout was partly because of a boycott by the Nationalist Party. The proposals were never fully implemented, and the country became an independent Realm within the British Commonwealth titled the State of Malta eight years later.
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Do you approve of the proposals as set out in the Malta Government Gazette of the 10th January, 1956? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Proposals
Under the proposals Malta would have had three seats of its own in the British House of Commons. In addition, the Home Office would take over responsibility for Maltese affairs from the Colonial Office. The UK parliament would have control of defence and foreign affairs, and eventually direct taxation, whereas the Maltese parliament would be responsible for all other areas of public life, including education and the position of the Catholic Church. Under the text of the referendum, agreements would be made with the United Kingdom with the objective of improving wages, employment opportunities and standards of living on the islands to parity with the rest of the UK.
Question
Do you approve of the proposals as set out in the Malta Government Gazette of the 10th January, 1956?
Results
Choice | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
For | 67,607 | 77.02 | |
Against | 20,177 | 22.98 | |
Total | 87,784 | 100.00 | |
Valid votes | 87,784 | 97.17 | |
Invalid/blank votes | 2,559 | 2.83 | |
Total votes | 90,343 | 100.00 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 152,783 | 59.13 | |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
Aftermath
Despite the results approving further integration with the UK, the low turnout allowed the opposition to claim that the result was inconclusive. There were also concerns expressed by some British MPs that the representation of Malta at Westminster would set a precedent for other colonies, and influence the outcome of general elections. Malta became an independent Commonwealth Realm on 21 September 1964 and a republic on 13 December 1974; after the expiry of a defence agreement with the United Kingdom, the last British forces left Malta on 31 March 1979.
References
- Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1302 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
- Smith, Simon C. (2007). Integration and disintegration : the attempted incorporation of Malta into the United Kingdom in the 1950s. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, 35(1), 49-71.
- Dangerous Game, The Spectator, 10 February 1956
- Malta, Simon C. Smith, University of London, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, The Stationery Office, 2006, page 133
- Referenda in Malta: The Questions and the Voters' Responses Elections in Malta Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- Zarb Dimech, Anthony (29 May 2011). "Maltese Referenda past and present". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- "Malta (Round Table Conference) – HC Deb vol 550 cc1778-931". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 26 March 1956. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
Author: www.NiNa.Az
Publication date:
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A referendum on integration with the United Kingdom was held in Malta on 11 and 12 February 1956 The proposals were approved by 77 of those who voted on a turnout of 59 the low turnout was partly because of a boycott by the Nationalist Party The proposals were never fully implemented and the country became an independent Realm within the British Commonwealth titled the State of Malta eight years later 1956 Maltese United Kingdom integration referendum11 12 February 1956Do you approve of the proposals as set out in the Malta Government Gazette of the 10th January 1956 ResultsChoice Votes Yes 67 607 77 02 No 20 177 22 98 Valid votes 87 784 97 17 Invalid or blank votes 2 559 2 83 Total votes 90 343 100 00 Registered voters turnout 152 783 59 13 ProposalsUnder the proposals Malta would have had three seats of its own in the British House of Commons In addition the Home Office would take over responsibility for Maltese affairs from the Colonial Office The UK parliament would have control of defence and foreign affairs and eventually direct taxation whereas the Maltese parliament would be responsible for all other areas of public life including education and the position of the Catholic Church Under the text of the referendum agreements would be made with the United Kingdom with the objective of improving wages employment opportunities and standards of living on the islands to parity with the rest of the UK QuestionDo you approve of the proposals as set out in the Malta Government Gazette of the 10th January 1956 ResultsChoiceVotes For67 60777 02Against20 17722 98Total87 784100 00Valid votes87 78497 17Invalid blank votes2 5592 83Total votes90 343100 00Registered voters turnout152 78359 13Source Nohlen amp StoverAftermathDespite the results approving further integration with the UK the low turnout allowed the opposition to claim that the result was inconclusive There were also concerns expressed by some British MPs that the representation of Malta at Westminster would set a precedent for other colonies and influence the outcome of general elections Malta became an independent Commonwealth Realm on 21 September 1964 and a republic on 13 December 1974 after the expiry of a defence agreement with the United Kingdom the last British forces left Malta on 31 March 1979 ReferencesDieter Nohlen amp Philip Stover 2010 Elections in Europe A data handbook p1302 ISBN 978 3 8329 5609 7 Smith Simon C 2007 Integration and disintegration the attempted incorporation of Malta into the United Kingdom in the 1950s The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History 35 1 49 71 Dangerous Game The Spectator 10 February 1956 Malta Simon C Smith University of London Institute of Commonwealth Studies The Stationery Office 2006 page 133 Referenda in Malta The Questions and the Voters Responses Elections in Malta Archived September 27 2011 at the Wayback Machine Zarb Dimech Anthony 29 May 2011 Maltese Referenda past and present The Malta Independent Archived from the original on 11 September 2014 Retrieved 10 September 2014 Malta Round Table Conference HC Deb vol 550 cc1778 931 Parliamentary Debates Hansard 26 March 1956 Archived from the original on 19 September 2015 Retrieved 10 September 2014