So farewell to 2016.

You’ve been a triumphant year for democracy, when at last people in the UK, the United States and around the world had the chance to have their voice heard. Political elites have been taught the lesson of the ballot box. Or…

You’ve been a year when politicians gave simple answers to complex problems, identified scapegoats for nations’ wrongs and won through. Never have experts been so widely ignored.

It could just be that you hold one of these views, and hold them even more strongly than I’ve set them out. Or it could be you are somewhere between the two.

In St Albans and Harpenden, as across the country, husbands and wives voted differently, brothers and sisters disagreed, neighbours were divided on where they stood.

People were surprised to find that someone they thought they knew really well had voted for the other side in the EU Referendum.

Whatever 2017 brings, I’m praying for a less strident tone in our politics. For people of different views to be able to work together for the common good and for all of us to respect the views and votes of others.

Churches will have a vital role to play. With our message of peace and reconciliation in Christ, we can provide a place where people can come together, talk about how they feel and how they see the future for our neighbourhood and our nation.

Only by understanding each other, can 2017 bring hope to our divided country.