Anyone overseas reading of a "Labour landslide" in the UK's General Election may be interested to know the precise nature of Blair's new mandate.

There was the lowest turn-out at any general election since the start of universal suffrage.

Worse, of the less than 60% of those eligible who voted, less than 25% actually voted for Labour.

This mean's Blair's maintained massive parliamentary majority came from less than 15% of the electorate.

Blair's influential Science Minister and major Party donor, Lord Sainsbury, didn't even have to seek an electoral mandate because he was introduced into government by Blair via the House of Lords.

The only independent candidate returned at the election described the UK as having a  "very powerful political system that over-rides the will of the British people".

Zac Goldsmith, editor of the Ecologist, had described the electoral choice on offer as between three bickering donkeys all pulling the same old cart.

Meanwhile in the Highlands, as reported yesterday, people voted with their feet, trampling a giant 'X' into an unwanted GM crop trial - a field trial that is going ahead despite overwhelmingly opposition from the local population and their local representatives.
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Ananova : Protesters damage GM crops in Scotland

Protesters have damaged genetically modified crops at a remote farm in Scotland. The vandalism occurred at Roskill Farm, Munlochy on the Black Isle, near Inverness.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said a section of crops had been trampled and pulled into a shape "resembling an x".

"The cost of the damage is not known at this stage but it is thought not to be excessive. Police inquiries are continuing."