Strange times need a rest and clear minds. I have just returned from a visit to India, and it feels as if I left a multi-cultural Britain, even if it had its strains, to return to a Christian England preparing for war on France! What better than to declare that a good break is needed, perhaps to the New Year unless another extraordinary crisis demands that we open up OK to comments and critique.

2012 will be a year of change for us in openDemocracy - both the mother ship and here in the British section. Also for the UK we can be sure, including our  Occupy movement and doubtless even the Labour leadership which currently seems to be leaving all the opposition to civic forces like UKuncut and False Economy and 38 Degrees not to speak of the Scotland’s SNP - although there is still life in the centre-left from newly thoughtful Resolution Foundation, on the appalling non-distribution of wealth, and ippr with whom we cooperate informally, and whose Director Nick Pearce sets out some impressive Xmas reading and gives OK a nice mention. 

In the new year, OurKingdom will be announcing our new direction with a new ‘About’ section, we will be working on the debate over the ‘Long Revolution’, supporting the CCMR on reforming our media, mashing our Networked Society with coverage of the Occupy movements, continuing For England’s Sake! and participating in Can Europe Make It? And we are looking forward to publishing our own plans for how to deal with the deficit.

Have a good Xmas break whatever your beliefs and we look forward to welcoming in the New Year with your participation and critical, thoughtful and active support.