Every now and then someone comes along with a few short lines that seem to perfecly encapsulate the absurdity of the English. Take the first paragraph of this Sunday Times book review, for example:
Insular, patriotic and fiercely independent, they have usually subcontracted their monarchy to foreigners. After being conquered by Saxons, Vikings and French, they offered the crown successively to Welsh, Scots and, ad infinitum, Germans. They made only two requirements, fecundity and the right religion. They were constantly let down on both scores.
These days, we seem to be developing a bit of a fetish for Scottish Prime Ministers.