Co-existence.

Trip into town to hear George Galloway this evening. Was as interesting as I had expected.

He is a man who clearly thinks critically about many things that concern him. Originally from Dundee and noting that the DUSA building was in an area of town that was formerly called Balfour Place, Galloway began his talk by discussing the Balfour Declaration of 1917. He then went on to discuss empire and imperialism in a historical context before extending his argument to cover current events in the middle east.

He also spoke about his own political affiliations and, when asked about his socialist philosophy, he denied association with any particular "ism". He was he said, a Labour man. Not the current version of Labour, which he argued was possibly even further to the right than some conservative governments have been, but the Labour of the working man, youth (including students) and the pensioner.

When the questions opened up to the floor, he laid out his position on disparate topics such as his attitudes to wards the legalisation of drugs, the situation in Central America and his views on Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time. He also dealt with questions about Scottish independence and he argued that separation from the United Kingdom would be a costly exercise. Indeed, he rejects nationalism in any form. Rather, he argued, by developing better relationships within Europe, the United Kingdom would be able to move away from current uncertainties regarding it's standing in world affairs.

Whether you loathe him or love him, George Galloway is a powerful orator. His ideas may not appeal to everyone, but the philosophy that seems to underpin his Respect party is, on the surface at least, one which values peaceful co-existence and even handedness.

Anyway (if you haven't fallen asleep already) just a brief summary of the goings on in DUSA tonight. The image of the Union buildings was taken just before we went in to hear Galloway talk.

My own ideas about what he said... well historians never let that secret out of the bag!