Great Britain is a part of Europe. They have a strange notion of having a special relationship with some transatlantic nation, such that they sometimes forget that they belong to Europe. Journalists may write about everything but usually avoid the private life of public people. If the baker near your home makes one which doesn't suit your taste, you may buy your bread 10 km away. You are proud of being able to eat more than 600 different types of cheeses.
Intellectuals act as the mirror of their society.