How Sette Giugno led to the first "responsible" government

Abstract

Many political and economic troubles began to simmer in Malta during the British period until they reached a boiling point on June 7, 1919. There were several contributing factors, including a general dissatisfaction with British rule, which began around 1890 and which led to a widespread call among the Maltese for self-government. Events came to a head on June 7, 1919, when British soldiers shot at the rioting crowd to defend the home of leading grain importer Anthony Cassar Torreggiani in Valletta and at those attacking the offices of The Daily Malta Chronicle. The Acting Governor of Malta then wrote to the Secretary of State for the Colonies saying that although it would seem like a sign of weakness to give concessions to Malta, there was no alternative after what had happened. The riots led to a new, more modern Constitution, having not just a representative government but a 'responsible' government, meaning a government made up of a party that is elected and that is accountable to Parliament.