EVERY New Year's Eve we look forward in hope. Twelve months ago, our hopes for 2001 were modest. Without the burden of contemplating a new century or Millennium (although purists insist both began this year), we simply wanted the new year to be better than the old.

During 2000, we had endured fuel protests, train crashes and floods. It was hardly the most auspicious introduction to the 21st century. Things, to borrow a musical soundbite, could only get better.

Our optimism was punctured within weeks. The first case of foot and mouth disease was reported in February, setting in motion another year of fire-fighting by the Government. Britain is only now about to be declared free of the outbreak.

Elsewhere, public services were in a parlous state. The Selby train crash delivered the horrors of a man-made disaster to our doorstep.

And then there was September 11. Our perception of the world exploded as the jets hit their targets. It is now hard to imagine life before the terrorist attacks.

Support for the US-led "war against terrorism" was widespread - because it was a just war. The military campaign was partly successful: the barbaric Taliban rulers were ousted from Afghanistan, and a new regime was beginning its work today.

But the man believed to be responsible for planning the assault on America, Osama bin Laden, is still only visible on video tape. Only time will reveal how well he and his terrorist network has survived the bombing of Afghanistan.

September 11 has left us in a more uncertain, scarier world. A brief truce between Israel and Palestine soon collapsed into bloody despair. The military posturing of two nuclear nations, Pakistan and India, is frightening the world.

But hope is a natural human condition, especially at this time of year. Tony Blair's speech to the Labour conference expressed a vision for a fairer world. Britain's countryside is open again. Let's hope the worst is behind us.

Updated: 09:46 Monday, December 31, 2001