View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Monday 8 June 2009

Monday 8 June

The morning after the election night before, and not a happy result. Leaving Labour's drubbing to one side for the moment, I am horrified at the rise of the far right in the UK as well as in Holland. Only a small number, but strongly indicative of problems not being addressed by government. This is certainly the case here in the UK, where the man at the helm is not on top of the situation and hasn't been since he came to No 10 Downing Street. The result is plain for all to see: Labour down to the worst result since 1918, Conservatives well up and the far right sneaking in. My local paper referred to him as a "dead man walking" some time ago.

The ascendancy of the far right in Holland is nothing new. It has been on the rise since the early years of this decade, when Pim Fortuyn cashed in (even after his death) on discontent in society over problems with immigrants. Last February, the Prime Minister (a chap by the name of Balkenende) actually stood up for the leader of the far right PVV party, Geert Wilders, when he was refused entry to the UK. I blogged about this on Thursday or Friday, so won't repeat myself. It was a bad mistake to make, giving them an aura of respectability.

All that on a beautifully sunny day with a breeze.
I emailed the captain of the sailing ship that left here yesterday, and he replied this morning. He said he was very proud of his Harris Tweed hat and jacket, but was currently sailing into a headwind. I also sent him some of the pictures of the ship that I took last week.