Whether one thinks locally, nationally or internationally, 2016 was either a year of deep disappointment or a year for continued optimism, depending on one’s mood and outlook.

Internationally, we in this country have either shot ourselves in the foot by voting to leave the EU and divorcing ourselves from that European co-operation partnership, or we have set a new path towards a new national boldness that will restore past British distinctiveness. For me, I like a bit of nostalgia provided I don’t get into the frame of mind that says you can put back the clock to former times. You simply can’t. The sooner this country finds leaders who will spell out that the world is equalising and cannot be stopped; that the national cake slice per person is likely to get progressively closer in size to those of people in poorer countries; and that we need to learn again how to share out our own national cake with all the people who live on these islands, the earlier right wing populists will be exposed for what they are – fraudsters.

So that’s a glimpse at the national and international scene; but there are local parallels. It is now ten years since Uttlesford District Council set out on the path to produce a new Local Plan; but still it is not finished. The latest false start began just two years ago and was due to end in March, except for the public examination by a government inspector. Sadly even a draft plan is now months away owing to bad decisions taken a year ago on short-cuts that look like requiring cinematic re-takes of this never-ending drama.

Only bold leadership will end the saga. Leadership that ends obfuscation and gets the options out into the public domain. Leadership is needed that recognises obstacles to development as barriers that can be overcome; not as excuses for inaction and argument in favour of other people’s doorsteps, when the answer is just round the corner.

The optimism comes from the belief that people will follow leaders who speak the truth and take the population with them, rather than seduce them with false promises that lead everyone into wildernesses where they will be done to by others.

A HAPPY 2017 TO YOU ALL!