Natural conclusion

So, farewell, the Natural Law Party. You were, we seem to remember, the party led by a calm man with a moustache whose special air service of 7,000 yogic fliers was going to think clear and fine thoughts so as "to actualise all the beautiful goals and highest ideals of the nation".

So, farewell, the Natural Law Party. You were, we seem to remember, the party led by a calm man with a moustache whose special air service of 7,000 yogic fliers was going to think clear and fine thoughts so as "to actualise all the beautiful goals and highest ideals of the nation".

On a more down-to-earth level, your meditations were going to create the right conditions for entry into the single currency, and Lord Rees-Mogg was to be Culture secretary. The Church of England was against you.

Surprisingly, despite your persistent campaigning, your ideas never quite took off with the floating voter. Now we learn that you ceased to exist before Christmas, and so will not be contesting the next election. A pity, as you used to elevate such affairs. "Look, we are not making empty promises," your deputy leader said once.

A pity, too, that you seem to blame the media for your demise. Where can we turn now, in politics, for meditation? Perhaps Mr Hague could be persuaded to resume his 20 minutes a day, as the judo doesn't seem to be working.