Keep calm and carry on - oh, and happy New Year

Now as Santa’s parked his sleigh for another twelve months, the last of the turkey’s gone into a curry or stir-fry and we’re looking to Big Ben to kick off 2011, we all know it’s not going to be a “normal” time.

With the public sector about to get the hammering the private sector has already been through and probably more, the cost of living going up and the VAT increase, things look pretty bleak indeed.

Even without this national shadow, New Year can spell despair rather than hope when people take stock of their lives.

But wringing our hands and giving into it is not the answer.

Whoever designed that classic poster at the Home Office during the Second World War was a genius.

Reddish backing - red for danger but toned down to a more muted and hopeful shade - with the crown topping the legend Keep Calm And Carry On.

Despite the odds, that is what we must do.

Happy (we hope) New Year.