Alas, the politicians are not alone in their shoddiness. The public fixation on "reality shows" -- all show and not much reality -- colors a popular sensibility of narcissism that merely spills into the political arena. But the politicians are determined to say or do anything not to get thrown off the island.

After voters trounced the Labor Party last week in elections to local councils and the European Parliament, Gordon Brown's colleagues began demanding his head. Some of the most flattering descriptions called him "a dead man walking" or (my favorite) a "corpse that twitches." But even his critics concede there's nobody in his Cabinet prepared to take over for him.

"The would-be assassins have proved more indecisive and chaotic than the king that would be killed," declared Andrew Rawnsley in the Sunday Observer. Brown, even in such a mauled condition, remains heads, shoulders and strategies above anyone else in his Cabinet. Brown is still regarded by many as the best man to lead during the economic crisis. His bank-rescue program set the pattern for Berlin, Paris and Washington. If it all works -- by no means certain, over here or back there -- he might be a hero again.

The Conservatives can hardly gloat. Not yet. David Cameron, the Tory leader, is no Margaret Thatcher, and in the next parliamentary elections, which must be held within a year, he'll be regarded as less Tory tough than Tory lite.

Besides, Brown insists he's not "walking away" from No. 10 Downing St. Too bad for him "walking" is the operative word this week in London. A strike shut down the Underground, multiplying the pain of high unemployment and other recession worries for subway riders.

There was one bright spot for Londoners, and even that was imported. A few Londoners got a kick from seeing Michelle Obama walk into a pub in upscale Mayfair with daughters Malia and Sasha, who ordered fish and chips. They took tea with the prime minister's wife. The English have a long history of finding things to brighten their spirits where and when they can.