Starmer promotes his NHS plans in Surrey while Kemi Badenoch takes to X in response to Elon Musk

Don’t you just hate this time of year? The promise of Christmas giving way to the bleak reality of January. Cold mornings fading to grey by mid-afternoon. Nothing to look forward to except filling in your tax return. Hunkering down and praying to wake up some time in April.

And then there’s the resolutions. Those empty, mindless promises you feel obliged to make. Frankly, no one cares whether you stay off the booze for a few months. Or go cold turkey on the chocs. It’s no big deal. Do what you like. Just don’t bother the rest of us with your neuroses. The time for giving is well and truly over. We might have been interested at Christmas, but come the first week of January it’s every person for themselves.

Taking the Lead by John Crace is published by Little, Brown (£18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.