It took less than an hour for a packed audience in Shoreham to collectively regret the loss of Vince Cable for the nation.

No matter what political hue of those assembled, everyone present could appreciate his intelligent, erudite and yet accessible analysis of the economic crises since 2008.

Here was a politician of depth and experience who possessed that rarest of virtues, common sense: a man prepared to put practical considerations for the common good before party ideology.

The lecture, presented by City Books to launch his new title After The Storm, developed aspects of the political and economic background to the election, coalition and the banks.

His description of the crisis as a heart attack with specialist consultants to prevent death or depression was one effective analogy. Another was temperature in the shower to demonstrate ranges of austerity. He thinks it’s rather chilly at the moment.

Independence, since the loss of his Twickenham constituency, has given him freedom to comment on policies – he is particularly concerned about a national obsession with property which somehow never builds enough houses.

We are still living with a mildly diseased heart: we would wish for Surgeon Doctor Professor Cable to help.

Five stars