Events, My Dear Boy, Events

The news this morning is full of two extraordinary stories that underline the truth of Macmillan’s maxim.

The first was to be expected. The nationalisation (although the government is avoiding the term) of Northern Rock has provoked cries of “unfair competition” from other banks, howls from commentators about government dithering and fears of job losses running into thousands for which Labour will now be responsible. The problem of Northern Rock was not something that Brown saw coming, but it has shaken his administration as much as anything.

But the big story at this moment must be the announcement that Fidel Castro is to retire. This is an event that has been so long coming that its actual arrival is a surprise. There can be no doubt that this is a welcome development for the democratic world.  For Cuba, this will mean radical change. 70% of Cubans were born after the revolution and have never known any other leader. There is a hope that this might herald an era of better relations with the US (which is more likely if Obama wins than McCain) and real economic reform.

Let’s just hope that these events all turn out for the better in the long-run.