Transition of power: the problems of Britain’s post-imperial relationship with Malta, 1964-1971

ABSTRACT There is growing recognition that the end of formal empire did not equate with the ending of ties between the imperial power and its erstwhile dependencies. This was especially so of the ‘fortress colony’ of Malta which following constitutional separation from Britain in September 1964 remained firmly linked to Britain economically and militarily. The existing historiography suggests that Britain actively sought to maintain imperial connections after decolonisation, even to the extent of attempting to convert formal empire into informal influence. The case of Malta, by contrast, indicates that the remaining imperial ties proved increasingly vexatious for Britain which sought either to limit its liabilities or even transfer them to its NATO allies. For their part, the Maltese proved adept at manipulating, cajoling, and even threatening the former imperial power to maintain and even increase its commitments to the island, especially in the military and financial fields.