We must also look to the future global market. For a decade, I have believed in the gradual rise of the so-called BRIC economies – those of Brazil, Russia, India and China. It is fashionable – purely because of their declining stock markets last year – to believe that any BRIC "dreams" are well and truly over. But we forecast GDP growth for China and India at, respectively, 6 per cent and 5.7 per cent for this year – they remain on course to overtake the US and become the world's dominant economies. These BRIC countries offer fantastic opportunities to companies in the UK, whether in the manufacturing or service sectors. Our time zone and language are both things that, luckily, our banking industry or policymakers can't affect. With all this in mind, forget the last 100 years. Look forward with a little cheer.