1956 Maltese United Kingdom integration referendum

A referendum on integration with the United Kingdom was held in Malta on 11 and 12 February 1956.[1] The proposals were approved by 77% of those who voted, on a turnout of 59.1%. They were never fully implemented, and the country became an independent Dominion titled the State of Malta eight years later.

Proposals

Under the proposals, Malta would have had three seats of its own in the British House of Commons.[2] In addition, the Home Office would take over responsibility for Maltese affairs from the Colonial Office.[3] 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.[4] Standards of living on the islands would be raised to parity with the rest of the UK by raising wages and increasing employment opportunities.[4]

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	67,607	77.0
Against	20,177	23.0
Invalid/blank votes	2,559	–
Total	90,343	100
Registered voters/turnout	152,783	59.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1302 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Dangerous Game, The Spectator, 10 February 1956
3. Malta, Simon C. Smith, University of London, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, The Stationery Office, 2006, page 133
4. Referenda in Malta: The Questions and the Voters' Responses Elections in Malta Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine