Game, set and match for our tennis playing knight
ARISE Sir Andrew Murray, three times Grand Slam winner, twotime Olympic champion, Davis Cup champion and winner of the 2016 Association of Tennis Professionals Tour finals.
He has been British number one for a decade and BBC Sports Personality of the Year three times.
Some have questioned the wisdom of bestowing knighthoods and similar honours on such a young recipient (he is only 29) but his massive achievements as a tennis player make such complaints seem rather silly.
In recent years Britain has taken Andy Murray to its heart. We have watched him develop from a hugely talented hothead who could be, shall we say, a little abrasive to a superstar and a family man.
He has a beautiful and supportive wife and a baby. And of course we must not forget his mum Judy. We’ve taken her to our hearts as well.
With our athletes now riding high in so many disciplines it’s easy to forget that there was a time when Britain didn’t seem to win anything.
Andy Murray was one of those who helped change all that through his ability and dedication. Britain is no longer the runner-up, the also-ran, the gracious loser.
The Olympic Games of 2012 and 2016 dispelled that notion.
Sir Andy has helped to give Britain back its sense of pride as well as achieving so much on a personal level. He is a worthy recipient of this high honour.
Grasping this opportunity
The Leave Means Leave group of Brexiteers have written to the Prime Minister setting out how she should conduct herself in her negotiations with the European Union.
They demand total control of our borders and that we quit the single market.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this country to take back control from Brussels,” says the letter.
“We believe these core principles must not be sacrificed.”
And this is surely the point. Holding the referendum represented a tremendous upheaval and the fallout since the result has been traumatic for this nation – whichever side you were on.
It would be a betrayal of those who voted leave on June 23 if we adopt some half-hearted form of Brexit.
It would also be something which Britain would come to bitterly regret for it is unlikely that there will be a similar opportunity to re-establish our sovereignty if we do not grasp it now.
Let your new year shine
In many ways 2016 has been momentous. We wish all our readers a very happy and prosperous new year.
Onwards to 2017.
December 31st, 2016: Express