That was The Year, that was…

Whatever it brings, 2026, on this, the first of its days, is pretty much still in its wrapping paper. It will be for us all to unwrap it and make the most of whatever it contains. We begin it with a bruised economy, speculation over the possibility of a developing recession (even if it turns out to be only a small one), the Bank of England reducing interest rates in anticipation of further economic woes, and a deeply troubled global playing field. International relations seem desperately stretched and long-term fissures have developed previously there were, at the least once, firm relationships upon which to trade without tariffs. Cross-border travel now appears fraught where previously it was conducted in a far more peaceful, welcoming manner. Democracies seem to have become dictatorships and the concept of goodwill towards all looks to have been snuffed out by the most misleading, egomaniacal of pretences.

Against such an apparently desolate background it would not, perhaps, be unreasonable to adopt a siege mentality as the new year starts to unfold. There seem few indicators that anything substantially positive is going to emerge from the immediate future. And yet, maybe this is exactly the time when something that bucks the current trend might just gain traction and succeed. Every new year encourages new aspirations and hopes – but the simple fact remains that we cannot expect someone to fill our outstretched hands simply because we present them. Instead, we have to come together, bring what we can to the sum of the parts and collectively dig our way out of that siege mentality. Every so often I hear people relating to events arising from the World War 2 as though the conflict itself was the saviour of our species – not that from global war we realised the futility of it and decided that it would be preferable to find another way to exist - peacefully. ‘Stronger Together’ is a laudable rallying cry – but perhaps it should be allowed to develop a little – perhaps into being ‘Stronger Together – For Everyone.’

Because surely that’s the point.

Together, we are indeed stronger. The sharing of each talent or skill – brings a little more to the totality of everyone. Nobody is imbued with everything, even if some might like to think so. In their totality though, just as Tom Hanks says in his The Moon Walkers documentary: “If we can overcome the challenges of putting a human being on the moon and bringing him back to earth safely, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.”

It's the same for Northamptonshire. We have some fantastic assets, minds and the full range of skills and talents at our disposal here. The challenge is to harness them by encouraging everyone to have a shared interest and common goal for mutual benefit. If we could crack that, then we’d be onto a winner. It’s a stretch, I accept – but why can’t it be achievable? Did we really not see enough of the alternative looming through the previous twelve months? There is the age-old perception that by ourselves we cannot achieve anything, or that our input as individuals into a wider debate cannot possibly make a difference. But it’s not the case. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong would certainly not have walked on the surface of the moon – or got home again – without the input of every individual who was part of the wider NASA team that sent them there following the challenge set down by John F Kennedy as the then President of the United States.

Later this year we’ll see the Winter Olympics, and the World Cup played out in front of vast audiences. Individuals will represent their nations in a variety of teams within teams – and each will be aiming to give of their very best. If they weren’t to do that – what would be the point? Personally, I can’t wait to see the Formula 1 World Championship start another season, much of it dominated by Northamptonshire talent and know-how. Maybe 1966 will prove to be a repeating talisman for England, sixty years on. But perhaps 2026 will also see the Olympic motto embodied with renewed intent – otherwise what IS the point? "Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.”

Happy New Year.