The sun is setting on the 65th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), when the Second World War ended in Europe. The forces of Nazi Germany surrendered to the victorious allies, ending twelve years of national socialism in Germany and a war in which six million Jews, twenty million Russians and hundreds of thousands of nationals from all over Europe had lost their lives. It ended the unspeakable atrocities of the concentration camps, the persecution of the Jews - and it ended the unwholesome politics of the 19th and early 20th century, where one conflict was put up as a pretext for starting another. It was to be another three months and two nuclear explosions before the Second World War was over in the Far East.
Negotiations to form a government here in the UK continue. The Liberal Democrats are presently talking to the Conservative Party, which gained 90-odd seats in Thursday's elections. Labour, which lost 90-odd seats, is not likely to form a government again - unless the Liberal / Conservative talks fail. It is a very delicate process, which is not likely to be hurried. It is for the first time in 36 years that there has not been an overall winner in a British poll. Coalitions are the rule of the day in many other European countries, Holland, Belgium and Germany being prime examples. The recriminations in all parties are already starting, but I wish all involved the wisdom required to make a deal that best serves the interests of all.
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