Despite the disappointing election result and a series of personal mishaps, including her cough-ridden conference speech, Mrs May has seen off speculation over a leadership challenge, dealt with her fractious Remoaner MPs, played a strong hand with Brussels and held Jeremy Corbyn and his hard-Left rabble at bay.

A year ago our Prime Minister was riding high in the opinion polls and over the past year it has been easy to forget that she still has exactly the same qualities that put her there before.

But increasingly, with her fortitude, sense of duty, level headedness and determination to do the right thing by her country, she is regaining not just the respect but the affection of the nation she leads.

In a profession which is dominated by more than its fair share of egotists, Mrs May gives the impression that she is not in it for herself but for what is best.

There are suggestions now that the PM will go on to 2022 and beyond: so she should.

A successful Brexit deal will give her the impetus she needs to lead us into the next election and lessons have been learned from the last one.

Initially it was said that Theresa May became Prime Minister because she was lucky.

Now we know she is good at the role too.

---------------------------------------------------------

Russia must not interfere

Congratulations to the Foreign Secretary: Boris Johnson is doing a good job in dealing with his Russian counterparts.

The Russians are clearly trying to undermine him by accusing him of “making up” allegations of meddling in Brexit but Mr Johnson is not allowing himself to be bullied.

He should keep up the good work. With the advent of “fake news” we are seeing a different kind of threat to our national security and it is one we ignore at our peril.

The Prime Minister has already warned Russia that the Government is aware it is trying to cause trouble – for the Foreign Secretary to make the point while actually on Russian soil makes it stronger still.

The world is as uncertain as it was at the depths of the Cold War, with the problems of terrorism, North Korea and an unstable Middle East.

Russia would be wise not to further muddy the waters. And needs to be told so.

Decades of Daily Express

What an enterprising baker Lucy Toal is, making the same Christmas cake for 62 years.

And a discriminating one too.

The original recipe was provided by the Daily Express – providing value for more than six decades.

And good taste!