A sense of wonder

.. and a sense of forboding.

I saw the President of Iceland on Newsnight last night almost begging Europe to get ready for what may happen when the major volcano that is overdue to erupt blows, as it has historically usually done after an eruption at Eyjafjallajökull.

Iceland has been hit very hard by its bankers and Gordon Brown. But they are at least getting prepared.

PS I hope there's a question on the disgraceful way Iceland was treated over the banking crisis in the foreign policy leaders debate.

Gordon Brown bullies Iceland - "have my poll rating lifted yet ?"

The old obsession with headlines and how your seen is back at No 10. Spin rules !

So we have Gordon Brown (or Gordon as Labour would like to re-brand him - must be some focus group conclusion there ) taking on Iceland a country with the population of Coventry.

In doing so he is forcing them into the hands of the Russians, who probably can't believe their luck - or von Brun's stupidity.

Yet again the fevered tactical urge to get himself ahead is being put before the long term interests of the country. There were other ways of doing this - but none that would have helped his poll ratings so Gordon put his interests first.

Its a shame because I'd been thinking of taking the family for a Summer holiday there next year, but the way things are going we won't be welcome.

PS To all those Labour supporters who think that this is Gordon Brown's Falklands moment let me warn you that a real war, in the Falklands, which will result in British Troops being humiliated due to Brown's defence cut backs and over commitment is a very real possibility right now.

Update: Daniel Hannan agrees in comment over at the Times. He points out that Gordon Brown effectively destroyed one of Iceland's banks. Its a disgrace.

Further about the backlash Gordon Brown's short term opportunism has created.

Don't do it Iceland !

Apparently Iceland is having to consider joining the Euro and EU due to the banking crisis.

Even the fishermen ( so the BBC tells us ) are softening in their traditional opposition - making the Cod War a bit pointless.

I have a message for the people of Iceland - don't do it ! There are only 300,000 people in Iceland if they join the EU they will lose:

1. Fishing grounds.
2. The ability to govern themselves.
3. Control over immigration - it won't take long for the country to be swamped by people with a different religion and culture ( see Sweden ).

If you have to throw yourselves on a foreign powers mercy try the following: 1) Norway, 2) Canada, 3) The US, 4) Russia - all of them will leave you with more of your country than if you are absorbed by the EU.

You were warned.