All I want for Christmas is some clarity... from everyone
THE older I become, the quicker Christmas comes around. With the day almost upon us, there is, of course, last-minute shopping to ensure that all presents have been purchased, thus ensuring no disappointments.
Up until as month ago I thought wife and I would be on our own as our children had indicated that they were going to have their own family celebrations.
That was good news for it meant a massively reduced food bill and peace and quiet...
However, over the last three weeks, there has been a change of mind, and the thought of free provender has resulted in 14 coming for Christmas lunch – and a mass of washing-up!
The changing of minds seems to be in vogue just at the moment, with Mrs May spectacularly doing a political somersault last week as mathematical doom over her Brexit deal vote increased in size on a daily basis.
The speed with which she changed her mind took even her close cabinet colleagues by surprise let alone the Brussels negotiators.
However, the battles in Westminster are now virtually over until after Christmas and until Parliament gets back to work on January 7. Hopefully, it will be a peaceful respite and a chance to concentrate on Christmas festivities and celebrations.
There will be all the usual traditional entertainments, carol singing for some, pantomimes for others, and plenty of TV regulars and repeats.
One of my favourites is Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol, rolled out year after year (although some members of my family identify me with Scrooge).
It is interesting to note that the author started out in working life as a reporter on an Exeter newspaper before going to London to develop his spectacularly successful career.
He frequently returned to Devon and married there. His lifespan was somewhat short, dying in 1870 aged just 58, yet his work lives on, and is still a Christmas favourite.
Christmas is all about peace and perhaps a fresh start, not only for Christians, but also for many other religions and faiths.
It will also give politicians time to reflect on the ghastly mess that they have collectively created.
The British electorate gave them an instruction which they have spectacularly failed to carry out.
Members of Parliament have just got to solve the current situation.
Business needs clarity, and fast so that they can plan for the immediate future, so if it is to be WTO rules, then act.
Uncertainty must cease, clarification has to be made now. Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm
AE Harris
The changing of minds seems to be in vogue just at the moment