VE

– It's funny how these things all happen at once, practically.
– Yes... What things, exactly?
– These great national events. The 70th anniversary of VE Day, when the people of this proud nation took to the streets to celebrate the end of long years of hostilities. And then the arrival of the Royal baby Princess Charlotte the other week, bringing heart-warming good cheer across the land.
– It is certainly inspiring to see the mood of the country uplifted by these events.
– And, of course, not to forget the election of the new Prime Minister.
– I thought it was the same one as before.
– Well, superficially, maybe, but this time he is on his own. Rather than being in a coaltion with someone else.
– And is that a good thing?
– Only history will tell. And that won't be for a while. That's history for you.
– And are people celebrating on the streets as a result?
– Well, not so far, but sometimes these spontaneous things take a while to arrange.
– I suspect people are still reeling from the surprise outcome. A Conservative majority against the odds; Labour wiped out by the SNP in Scotland; the utter collapse of the Lib Dem vote.
– I suppose it wasn't the best of days for the pollsters. The dozens of polls over the last few months were all way off the mark. You can never trust statistics.
– I have to say I'm a little uneasy the way it's all turned out.
– It'll be fine. What can possibly go wrong?