Memory Lane 18/08/2002

Talking to Lino Gauci Borda

Dr Lino Gauci Borda's involvement in politics lasted 25 years, 18 years as a Member of Parliament. A very famous doctor he experienced life both in opposition and in government. "I remember the old days which were very hard for everyone, especially for us Nationalist politicians. Everywhere you went you risked your life, as violence was the order of the day. Today this problem has diminished and it is easy for a politician today to get on with his work.

"In fact with the emergence of Local Councils life has become easier. I remember that hordes of people used to visit me for the sake of changing a light bulb in their street. Thanks to the Local Councils has finished now," Mr Lino Gauci Borda said.

"I still follow politics thanks to the news and media but I do not participate any more. I have had offers but I always decline such invitations and if you asked me whether I miss politics I'd say not much. The only thing I miss is the contact with the people."

Today Dr Gauci Borda is retired from public life and from private medical practice. Three years ago a rare disease, Fungus Meningitis, hit him. A rare disease that could easily kill a person. He recovered after an 18 month convalescence but decided not to work as a doctor anymore.

"I had stopped practising when I got sick, when I recovered I decided not to continue. Now I miss my profession as I always considered myself to be first a doctor and then a politician. In fact if I was to be born again I would not run for politics, but I would definitely becoming a doctor.

"It’s not that I was not satisfied with my political career but it's because you have to give 100 per cent as a politician and being a doctor and a politician is hard to cope. Out of the two I prefer being a doctor.," he said.

"I have been out of parliament since 1996. I did not stand in that election. It was 1971, 10 years after I started practising as a doctor, that I contested my first general election. I decided to stand at the last moment. In the Hamrun district had a good first result. I was unlucky not to get elected. In the Birkirkara district I had some of the best politicians at the time competing with me including Pawlu Borg Olivier, Guzi Spiteri, Gorg Borg Olivier and Notary Agius.

"In the Hamrun district I had another chance of a seat in parliament after Minister Caruana Demajo had died. I was again unlucky not the get elected but Alfred Baldacchino, who later defected to the Malta Labour Party, beat me by a few votes."

He said that in 1976, he was elected as a Nationalist MP from the Birkirkara district. Eddie Fenech Adami had polled over 3,000 votes while he had polled 1,780, a very good first count. He was elected on the second count.

Dr Gauci Borda was elected again in the 1981, 1987 and 1992.

Dr Lino Gauci Borda's greatest hobby is the collecting of old cars. He is the Chairman of the Motors Club which, thanks to him and the committee, will open a headquarters in Lija in the near future.

"We've came to terms to buy an old house to turn it into something worthwhile for those dedicated to the hobby. When I'm away from old cars Id like working on computers, swimming, doing some housework. I also love gardening." said Dr Gauci Borda.

Lino Gauci Borda was talking to Ray Abdilla