As millions of passengers both in Europe and across the world face continued severe disruption to the daily lives, due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, I ask why the political response has been so slow? This evening reports are emerging that the British government has held emergency talks over the disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland. Up until this evening, however, British politics, in the run up to a general election, seems to have gone on as usual. On Thursday 15th April mainstream television challenges carried the story, detailing the closure of British air space, second to the "first" televised political debates between the party leaders. Moreover, the last few days have seen all mainstream party leaders continue canvassing around the country on domestic issues, and worrying about how to deal with the 'surge' in Liberal Democrat support. So, does the response of politicians to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, demonstrate just how detached politicians and the mainstream news media have become to matters of public concern? While, no doubt, debating how best to tackle the budget deficit and the financial crisis are huge priorities for governments and citizens across Europe; this volcanic eruption, will turn out to have, at the very least, some significant impact on the economic prospects of the Eurozone economies. As the ash clouds appear to show no signs of diminishing, air lines are increasingly pushing for flight restrictions to be reviewed this evening; but should this dilemma be left to the air operators and the European aviation authority? Could it be, that what Europe really needs at this moment 'of crisis' is an alternative strategy to air travel. Aside from air, for instance, there are other European infrastructure's (roads, rail and in sea) that can be used to get people to their destinations - but what is really needed is a European political response to co-ordinate the movement of people around Europe - and fast. Moreover, at the European level - the response to the chaos across Europe caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland, might yet prove a decider of who is to be seen as the 'representative' for Europe in a time of crisis - Barroso vs Van Rompuy? This afternoon the Commission announced an ad hoc working group will be set up to assess the consequences of the crisis. The group will be led by Siim Kallas, the transport commissioner, and also include Joaquin Almunia, the competition commissioner, Olli Rehn, the commissioner for economic and monetary affairs. Has Barroso just caught Van Rompuy on the back foot?