This week Berkeley Squares bids goodbye to a remarkably erudite group of writers who have represented the core of this publication over its first formative year.

The quality of their articles speak for themselves: it is impossible to read them without awe and admiration. Their wit and humour, sophistication, insight and judgement have impressed all who have followed them and I am immensely proud to have worked alongside such talent.

What will become of this gilded troop we will have to wait to see, but I picture great things, blue skies and happiness. Max I imagine in a foreign embassy dinning on Beluga caviar and sending pithy succinct diplomatic missives to expectant PMs and Presidents; Iain will be a permanent resident at the Palace of Westminster prowling the lobby and door-stopping unreliable ministers for Newsnight: his opinions will change elections. Ned I foresee becoming a fearsome Professor at an ancient university with a secret hotline to the Kremlin, whilst Florian will have become Press Secretary to King Charles. Finn will be Headmaster of Eton and Kieran will be the father of four delightful girls whose demands on him will be so unrelenting as to prevent him from doing anything else.

It is only exceptionally that such talent emerges together in one year and I am honoured to have met such delightful company, such clever minds and such entertaining people. For now it is difficult to imagine life without them. I salute you all!