I once held public office in the UK. A role which at that time involved signing a personal declaration, that I would adhere to the Nolan Principles. These principles were set out as a code of conduct which embraced virtues. Over the last decades, I’ve observed that virtues as a blueprint for living the best version of our humanity for the benefit of the collective, have been eroded and our leaders are no longer virtue role models.

I wrote my 10 Valuable Virtues book, as a simple act of setting out again for a new generation, the importance of virtues for societal cohesion and stability as well as individual wellbeing and self respect.

As we prepare for 2026 and more chaos and uncertainty, the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, faith, hope and charity are the perennial pillars which see us through from what was, to what we are becoming. Pilgrimage is more than a long walk from point A to point B. It is a honing of the virtues which sit dormant within us, seeking expression to lead the sad and the lonely, the weak and the downcast to a place of gathering and sharing and rejoicing. I’m working with the virtue of hope as my North Star.