It really is “the end of an era”. The over-used phrase is justified this year: 2008 marked the official finish to an age of financial excess. A new age of austerity is beckoning in 2009. It seems, alas, that we must bid farewell to open-handedness and a carefree attitude while shopping. They will be missed. But there are aspects of this year that we will be very happy not to see again.

The roll-call of those we are delighted to see depart the world’s political stage is strong but short – quite a bit shorter than we would have liked, in fact. At its head is George W. Bush, who, reports suggest, is still president. He leaves the US bruised, battered and weakened. His place in history is assured, albeit perhaps not where he intended; few little boys dream of one day becoming the Shoe Magnet of Baghdad.