THE winter solstice has long been celebrated for the return of the light, the lengthening of the days and the shortening of the night.

A poignant time of year that traditionally offers hope as the green shoots of spring approach. It also conjures up phantoms from the past.

In 1974, Ted Heath had burdened the UK with 20 per cent inflation. Unnecessary conflict with the miners together with oil shortages leading to three-day working weeks and living by candlelight. Although Jim Callaghan reduced inflation to nine per cent, the monetarist genie had been released.

Thatcherism wrought terrible vengeance across the land. No one has managed to stuff it back into the bottle.

The truth hurts but contrary to hope springing eternal from the nadir of the year, where is the silver lining?

We can’t be too relaxed as we observe mass unemployment and poverty increasing. Charities providing food vouchers at job centres. What next? Workhouses and a winter of discontent?

An admiral once said: “I have only one eye, I have a right to be blind sometimes”. What excuse from politicians, blind to hardship?

The 2010 foot in mouth award surely goes to the Tories’ ephemeral Big Society.

T Scaife, Manor Drive, York