A COMPLETELY NEW DIRECTION FOR POLITICS
IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Annual Conference of the Natural Law Party of the UK. 7 & 8 October 2000

The UK Natural Law Party's ninth annual conference marked another milestone in the progress of the party, pulling together leaders of all areas of society and pointing the way forward for effective government in the 21st century. The main theme of the conference was "Unified Field Based Administration: The Politics of the 21st century." These were three main events: a press conference to announce the main subjects of the conference; a one day public conference on party policy at the Charing Cross Hotel in London; and a one day in-depth think-tank on expansion strategy and the new party constitution at Roydon Hall in Kent.

The day before the conference, party leaders called a press conference at which they announced the main themes of the conference and particularly called for the immediate dissolution of NATO and the formation a new Global Alliance for World Peace. The press conference was linked via conference telephone to similar events in Rome, Paris, Vienna, Copenhagen, Belgrade and other European capitals. Speaking at the event in London, Lt Col Gunter Chassé, Defence Spokesman of the Natural Law Party of Germany and a former NATO officer, said that NATO had changed its role recently from being the defenders to being the aggressors, and in the interests of peace it was time for them to go.

Silent governance by infinite intelligence

Introducing the theme of the day at the public conference, Party Leader Dr Geoffrey Clements said: "The life of the individual and the nation has infinite complexity, and government based on limited political ideas will never bring satisfaction to everyone. We must bring into government that silent but perfect intelligence that governs the universe without a problem, and which has its seat in the unified field of all the laws of nature, as discovered by quantum physics. Only from the level of the unified field will government have the 'joined up' approach that is so essential for success. The programmes of the Natural Law Party enliven the unified field in individual and collective consciousness, bringing the full support of the evolutionary, nourishing power of Natural Law to the nation."

The next speaker, Dr Reinhard Borowitz, Secretary General of the Maharishi International Council of Natural Law Parties, pointed out that the one factor common to all of the 80 national branches of the NLP is Natural Law itself. "Increasingly the problems of every nation are global problems, and global problems need global solutions," he said. "The problems of the individual, the society and the world are all governed by the laws of nature. Politically speaking, enlightenment - attunement with Natural Law - is an absolute must."

Health care for the 21st Century

Dr Roger Chalmers, a GP with 25 years' experience of applying Transcendental Meditation and Vedic natural medicine to health care, presented a brilliant paper outlining a new strategy to improve dramatically the health of the nation. He pointed out that the problems faced by the National Health Service cannot be resolved simply by changing the style of administration or spending more money, but only through a focus on primary prevention. The editor of several volumes of scientific research papers on Transcendental Meditation, Dr Chalmers said that implementation of Maharishi Vedic Medicine could reduce health care needs and costs by 50% over five years, saving the NHS £34 billion annually.

Genetic engineering: Sorting the wheat from the chaff

Best-selling author and highly praised science broadcaster Moyra Bremner spoke about the need to achieve a profound collaboration with the living world, without which humanity cannot survive. She outlined the grave dangers for health and the environment from genetic engineering of plants, animals and humans. Her most recent book "GE: Genetic Engineering and You" was described by the Guardian as "Scary, but brilliant."

Moyra Bremner particularly highlighted the latest discoveries about the destruction of the soil from the use of chemical pesticides - an area unfortunately excluded from current GE crop trials in the UK. More than 50% of the world's most fertile soil is being damaged and eroded through the use of agrochemicals in intensive farming, she said. These chemicals kill the micro-organisms that both hold the soil together and also help plants to absorb nutrients. She said that genetically engineered crops continue the use of intensive fertilizers and other agrochemicals which poison both soil and water and, in doing so, put the future of food and human health in jeopardy.

A call for wisdom in world agriculture

Calling for a return to wisdom in world agriculture, Environment Spokesman for the Natural Law Party, Mark Griffiths, summarised the party's new global campaign for a ban of GM food and the introduction of Vedic organic agriculture. Pointing out that the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had produced a report showing that it is quite feasible to feed the world for the next 30 years without the introduction of any GM crops, he said that GM food is dangerous and unnecessary, and the Government should instead focus on natural, holistic approaches to produce healthy food for everyone.

In a videotaped message to the conference, Tim Yeo, MP, Shadow Minister of Agriculture for the Conservative Party, emphasised the importance of taking a precautionary approach to the introduction of GM food. He agreed that there should be no large scale planting of GM crops as long as the fundamental questions of safety remain unanswered.

Adding years to life, and life to years.

Helena Herklots, Head of Policy at the charity Age Concern, used her address to help delegates understand the special needs of the growing number of elderly people. She reminded the party that 25% of voters are pensioners, and emphasised the importance of providing the right kind of support to uphold the dignity and respect of elderly people. She said: "It is a cause for celebration that people live longer. The ideal is to die young, but as late as possible!"

The NLP's Spokesman for Family and Social Policy, Deputy Chairman Patricia Saunders, suggested that savings from the reduction in crime that Natural Law programmes will bring about could be used for social programmes and to increase pensions. She outlined the profound benefits of Natural Law health programmes for the elderly, giving them the perfect combination of the energy of youth with the wisdom of age.

"In Skelmersdale, we found exactly what we were looking for."

Gerald Cary-Elwes, Company Secretary of BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association) gave a moving address about the reasons why he encouraged BURA to give an award for "Best Practise in Regeneration" to the Maharishi European Sidhaland in Skelmersdale. He said that the Golden Dome was a haven of peace, quiet and energy, and he thought the Maharishi School was marvellous. "The children had something about them," he said. "They were well-behaved, but natural. They were courteous, but knew where they were going."

He said that every political party was aware of the urgent need for urban regeneration, but what is needed is the "joined-up" approach used at the Maharishi European Sidhaland, incorporating health care, education, proper housing, crime reduction, etc. "I think we are about to enter a spiritual revolution. Just the fact BURA have given this Award shows this. In Skelmersdale we found exactly what we were looking for. There must be a spiritual dimension to regeneration," he said.

The NLP's Spokesman for National Planning and Reconstruction, John Renwick, added that the programmes of the Natural Law Party offer a steady hand for effective urban regeneration throughout the country. Keith Laycock, co-ordinator of the BURA submissions that led to the award for "Best Practice in Regeneration" for the Maharishi European Sidhaland, presented some of the excellent nation-wide press reports on the award.

Special feature talks

The world famous show-business personality, Patti Boulaye - actress, singer and painter - gave a dramatic talk on the work of the charities she supports to relieve the suffering due to the high incidence of Aids and malaria in Africa. "Success in show business has given me an opportunity to do some good," she declared.

Acclaimed international lawyer Sarosh Zaiwalla told delegates that the Natural Law Party has its niche in society. "People want something different to the usual style of politics," he said. "If you have a clean heart and no desire other than to do good, then Nature will support." Mr Zaiwalla is the co-founder and co-host of the Asian Business Breakfast Club, which meets at the House of Commons in London. He said that he felt much younger since he had attended the NLP International Convention in Bonn last July.

Addressing the Black political deficit

In a challenging address, Simon Woolley called for a serious effort to represent all sections of the community in government. Mr Woolley is National Co-ordinator of Operation Black Vote - the first comprehensive campaign that addresses the Black political deficit. He pointed out that while one third of the people in London belong to ethnic communities, only two out of twenty one elected members of the new Greater London Assembly are coloured. He called for better political education, participation and representation. In reply, Party Chairman Richard Johnson agreed that it is vital for the Natural Law Party to reach out to all sections of the community, as it began to do during the recent campaign for Mayor of London. He pointed out that only Natural Law can uphold all diverse interests in society at the same time as unifying them.

Education for the 21st Century

The important area of education was tackled by three speakers: Dame Tamsyn Imisin, DBE, FRSA; Carole Brason; and NLP Spokesman for Education, Jeremy Bowler. Dame Tamsyn, former Head Teacher at Hampstead School and now a full time "education strategist" on numerous government and private committees, spoke about the need to update education for the 21st Century. She said it is essential to find ways to enhance young people's spiritual development and to be more inclusive so they can care and work for each other.

Carole Brason, former Head Teacher at St Albert the Great RC Primary School in Hemel Hempstead, spoke of the enormous difficulties faced by teachers. "40,000 teachers resign every year in the UK because they are overworked and exhausted," she said. Interference from the Government only makes matters worse with the introduction of unworkable curricula.

Jeremy Bowler offered new hope to all teachers through the policies of the Natural Law Party to introduce Maharishi's consciousness-based system of education that unfolds the full potential of every student. He presented a working paper for NLP policy development to facilitate this transformation.

Dramatic reduction in crime

Stuart Hayward, Natural Law Party leader from Bermuda, presented the achievements of the coherence-creating project in the country earlier this year. In the first week, a group of 46 experts in Transcendental Meditation and Yogic Flying brought the crime rate down by 22%. By the second week it was down 33%, and by the third week 56%. An author, journalist and former MP in Bermuda, Mr Hayward is now negotiating with the Bermudan government to set up a group of 60 Yogic Flyers to maintain this effect permanently.

"Creating wealth from waste"

A powerful address from Robin Murray, author of "Creating wealth from waste" (Demos 1999), alerted delegates to the time bomb in the form of the modern materials now accumulating in waste dumps around the country. Mr Murray first outlined the reasons why the overall amount of waste is dramatically increasing. He also pointed out that the percentage of organics in waste is decreasing, while the concentration of heavy metals, GMO's, and chemicals is increasing, making it unreliable for compost or sewage sludge. He said that Britain is among the worst in Europe for recycling.

"The old system created waste from wealth, now we need to create wealth from waste," he said. Representing the environmental research group Ecologika, Mr Murray congratulated the Natural Law Party for its far-sighted policies on waste management.

The party's Deputy Chairman John Collins responded by warning that recycling must start very fast to avert Government plans to build many more heavily polluting incinerators around the country. The Natural Law Party is campaigning vigorously on this in Lancashire and elsewhere.

Danish Natural Law Party leader Svend Jensen described the party's campaign for a "No" vote in the recent Danish referendum on the Euro. "Don't fall for the Euro, it falls all by itself," was the key slogan in a campaign that pointed out the importance of giving priority to national sovereignty and creating positivity and coherence.

Scottish Party Leader Diana Kras and Chairman George Stidolph spoke about the recent breakthroughs in their campaign to ban GM food, and in implementing Natural Law programmes among the unemployed in Scotland.

Natural Law's party

Dr Clements rounded off the conference by saying that for the Natural Law Party to be successful it has to be Natural Law's party. "We have to go out and give our message, because what we have to say is what people want to hear," he said. "The lesson from today's proceedings is that we must continue to bring together those with the highest ideals and aspirations for society, and show how these can become a reality through the programmes and knowledge of Natural Law."