14 Facts About Paul Boffa

Sir Paul Boffa, OBE, was a Maltese politician and medical doctor who served as prime minister in the Colony of Malta after self-rule was reinstated by the British colonial authorities, following the end of the Second World War.

Paul Boffa was created a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.

Paul Boffa died at his residence in Paola and is buried at the All Souls Cemetery in Tarxien.

Paul Boffa entered politics when Malta was granted self-government in 1921 and joined the Labour Party in 1923.

Paul Boffa was returned to Legislative Assembly under the Amery-Milner Constitution in 1924,1927 and 1932 and elected Leader of the Labour Party in 1927.

In 1932 Boffa was the only Labour Party candidate elected to the Legislative Assembly until it was dissolved in 1933.

Paul Boffa was nominated as a member of the Executive Council from 1936 to 1939 and was elected, again as the sole Labour representative, to the Council of Government in 1939.

Paul Boffa reached the peak of his political career in November 1947, when he became the first Labour Prime Minister leading a majority government of 24 Labour members.

In 1949, following the Labour Party's ultimatum to Britain concerning financial help, the Labour Party split up; but Paul Boffa continued as prime minister.

Paul Boffa later founded and led the Malta Workers' Party.

Paul Boffa was re-elected to the legislature in 1951 and again in 1953.

Paul Boffa nonetheless retained an interest in politics, and was nominated Honorary President of the Christian Workers' Party.

Paul Boffa was created a Knight Bachelor in the 1956 New Year's Honours List in recognition of distinguished public services.

Paul Boffa was instrumental in obtaining recognition of the Maltese language in the law courts and the introduction of compulsory primary education and old-age pensions as well as the granting of the vote to women.