TUVALU, TIME AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT

In case you think I have at last gone totally crazy, let me say that these three aspects are, surprisingly, all linked.

Consider Tuvalu. A group of nine islands deep in the South Pacific about a trillion kilometres from anywhere (my kind of place!). Most of their trade is with New Zealand and Australia, and up until a few days ago, they were on the “wrong” side of the International Date Line (a very ambiguous “line” separating one day from another). So, by common agreement, they have decided to “move” to the other “side” which will allow them easier trading conditions. Good for them!

Meanwhile, another trillion kilometres away on (another) island – Great Britain – the government is having its usual end of year “knicker-twisting” debate on time. At a time when their economy is in melt-down mode we should be surprised that members of such an august body can afford to spend hours on such a matter….but, that’s England!

Globally at this time of year, there is a tradition of “changing time” by one hour. Since “time” is a man-made phenomenon anyway, why the hell are we spending so much of it in dealing with something that in theory at least, should be easy to solve. Consider Europe. Here we have several “time zones”; Portugal and UK share the same; Greece and other countries to the east share another, and the lot in between have their own. What a chaotic state! If a group of (united?) countries can’t get their act together over such a matter, how can they have a valid claim to be an economic power-house? So, if you travel from London to Lisbon you’re in the same time zone; travel to Paris (a shorter distance) and you have crossed an hour of time; travel to Athens and it’s two hours….

Which brings me to England. I read that the government (in its amazing wisdom) is considering bring “their” time into line with that of the rest of Europe. BUT there is opposition – from Scotland who say that it would be “unfair” to keep that part of the UK in “darkness” for longer hours than the rest of the island.  To quote their spokesman: "The Scottish government's established position is that there is no case for change to existing arrangements". I am at a loss for words! What should be simple to solve is surrounded by a mine-field of "yes but's" and I cannot see either side reaching agreement through compromise. 

Now, how long will it take me to reach Tuvalu, and how many time zones do I cross?

Until next time (and on time),

Peripatetic Scribe