This year Russia and China have been busy trying to change the world order that has prevailed since 1945. Whilst the Syrian coup offers a small hope that people can fight back, the general trajectory has been in the other direction.
The fact that India and Brazil are hedging their bets on whether the old democracies are in inexorable decline is worrying, but one can understand it. France and Germany have major economic problems. Then there is the United States. That country will shortly be led again by a man who admires dictators and is prepared to deny the validity of election results when it suits him.
The European Union is no longer certain to be the font of financial prosperity and liberal values. Economic problems, the challenge of migration and the fact that some member states, like Hungary, no longer buy in to all EU values, is going to mean a challenging year ahead for Brussels.
The drumbeat of war has been ever present in the last twelve months. Israel’s overreach in Gaza, Russia’s obscene war in Ukraine and the pointless bloodletting in Sudan shows that mankind’s instincts haven’t really changed that much.
It is difficult to be positive about 2024, but the year did begin with a TV drama that actually made a difference. Mr Bates v The Post Office led to a demand for victims of the sub postmaster’s scandal to be compensated and those responsible held to account. Whilst full recompense is awaited, it was the first of a number of developments this year that gives hope to people who increasingly have lost faith in our institutions. The pay outs for the infected blood scandal of the 1980s have begun, and at least one archbishop has resigned over child abuse issues in the Church of England.
The May local elections gave us a foretaste of what was to come for the Conservatives. Even a good mayor like Andy Street in the West Midlands could not withstand the Labour tide. One Tory mayor did survive. Tees Valley’s Ben Houchen had a good year and grew his reputation for plain speaking and getting results.
The General Election was a spectacular triumph for Labour. That has to be said before we make the qualifications about how it was thin and wide with only 34% of people voting for Sir Keir Starmer. The honeymoon was short with a summer dominated by allegations of sleaze and the removal of the winter fuel payments for many. The gloom surrounding the budget and the burden it has placed on business has led to the year ending on a flat economic note.
Immediately after the Chancellor had unveiled her package, the United States returned Donald Trump to office. The Democrats already had the handicap of inflation before the attempt by Joe Biden to cling on. It means a sad end to a long career of public service for the outgoing President and has contributed to the return of a man who could have a dramatic effect on the world and the United States.
Half the people in the world had elections this year. Generally, they were fairly conducted and are the answer to tyranny. The results may not be to everyone’s liking and democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others.
Happy Christmas and a better New Year.
