DUNKIRK THE SEQUEL

April 20, 2010

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in a tough re-election campaign, fighting to stave off a Labour defeat in the polls for the first time since Tony Blair took over from the Conservatives.  Despite being down in the polls, he’s been creeping back against the Tories.  But he’s still behind.  So, what to do?  Well, call in the Royal Navy! And that’s what Brown has done.  He’s dispatching (I think that’s the right word) navy ships to the continent to pick up stranded Brits who are grounded by the volcanic ash that has closed most major airports.  The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean are heading across the channel to pick up the passengers and bring them home.  It’s reminiscent of the great Dunkirk rescue, in 1940, when the British Army was rescued by hundreds of naval craft and small boats, and 300,000 soldiers were saved.  In this case Brown wants to bring home 150,000.  It’s Churchillian.  And reminding people of Churchill just before an election can’t hurt.