I am not sure that I want to live in 'interesting' times. The old certainties of when the US and Russia fought on the world stage, but in a reasonably predictable way, have truly gone flying out the window. The chaotic and unreliable leadership of the US, China's inexorable rise to power and the unscrupulous methods of Putin make 2019 very interesting indeed and I have not even mentioned the 'B' word or climate change. But, Happy New Year all and let's hope that rational behaviour prevails this year!

I was in Cork last week and was listening to Neil MacGregor's series on how others see us. I was surprised to learn of the affection in which our nation is still held by some in our former colonies, you would think that the former subjugated nations would have a strong measure of resentment towards the UK but some people do not feel this way. On Thursday the view from Canada was discussed and I was particularly struck by the thoughts of Madeleine Thien, a writer of Chinese parentage.

Madeleine talked about Britain being a promoter and embracer of values crucial to the world and that this engendered considerable moral authority for the UK. At its best, Britain is a society where the rule of law prevails, where we cope with change and embrace difference. These attributes have been recognised and admired by the world and we have been taken seriously as a result. We played a major role in Europe by bringing in the Eastern European states and encouraging integrity and human rights throughout the continent - an influence that, sadly, will now fade. 

Ms Thien's view of the UK changed in 2003 when we went to war in Iraq, the first time Canada had not followed Britain's lead in going to war. Canada felt that the pretext for the war was flimsy and insufficiently endorsed by international institutions (a view that many in the UK would agree with). Yet, we followed US lead and this has dented Britain's moral authority in her view.

Thien argues that our institutions of government give us the opportunity to provide moral and political leadership in a fractured world. The world is crying out for such leadership but we seem to be turning in on ourselves and our ability to deal with change and embrace outsiders seems to be under threat too. She now wonders whether the UK wants to continue with its former leadership role and that troubles her greatly. It was interesting to hear a friendly outsider worry about our nations 'why' in the way that I do, we have a rich history but are we in danger of forgetting what we are all about?

At the Jackson Lees Group our 'why' is at the core of everything we do, our 'why' is an ethos that I believe is very much in line with our nation's. It is our legal system that we have given to many parts of the world and that has really shaped a fair and just society. This is what it means to make a positive difference through the practice of law. 

So, as 2019 gets underway with all of its twists and turns, I can be certain that at the Jackson Lees Group we will not be changing our ethos and our people will continue striving to make a positive difference. I just hope that as a nation we can cherish our history, our moral authority and remember why we have been respected by the international community. May we as a country continue to try and make a positive difference to the world.