NEWTON'S OPTIC:Most people in Northern Ireland cannot hear the word "London" without immediately switching off, writes NEWTON EMERSON.
But for those of us still following developments in that benighted far-soutrhern region, last week's mayoral contest supplied a depressing spectacle.
The election was characterised by hatred, tribalism and obscure historical grievances.
Voting followed entirely predictable geographic patterns, while what passed for "debate" came largely down to where the candidates went to school.
The medieval institutions of Eton and Oxford were frequently cited, leaving outside observers utterly bemused. Among the other issues raised were clearly dead languages such as ancient Greek, and nearly dead dictators such as Fidel Castro. The conduct of certain fellow-travellers was particularly partisan, at times descending to a level of class hatred (or, in the case of the Guardianand the BBC, class self-hatred), which would be illegal under Northern Ireland's more advanced equality laws.
It is simply incredible that any part of a modern country in 21st-century Europe could retain such antique political divisions.
The British government has entrusted London with some measure of autonomy in recent years via a limited local assembly.
However, there is little prospect of real politics emerging in a society that remains so deeply polarised around trivial distinctions of background and belief. Rather than coming together, there are signs that London is becoming a patchwork of distinct "zones" separated by increasingly high Tube fares.
Even the slightest difference in appearance or accent can betray someone as being from "the wrong zone" and those who stray outside their zone sometimes pay the ultimate price (£4 standard single, excluding Oyster Card holders).
The resulting fears are exploited by local politicians as a distraction from administrative stalemate. Decisions on vital infrastructure such as Crossrail, Thames Gateway and the third Heathrow runway are left in limbo for years, while arguments over community groups and human rights commissioners receive enthusiastic attention.
The London assembly cannot even agree on a multi-sports facility planned for waste ground outside the city centre, despite a 2012 deadline for completing the project. Instead, members argue over whether or not it will be "a shrine to quangocrats".
Policing is perhaps the most divisive issue of all, with one mayoral candidate calling for complete reform, while another openly backed the Metropolitan Police shoot-to-kill policy.
It is difficult to see how such opposing views can be reconciled without the help of a policing board, a police ombudsman, a police oversight commissioner and, possibly, a lord mayor's parade commission.
London does still retain the vague goodwill of the British public in its attempt to build a more normal society. However, devolution and looming recession both raise the issue of its economic burden.
London insists on subsidising the rest of the country rather than allowing regional tax policies which might challenge its own competitiveness. There is a limit to how much longer ordinary taxpayers will tolerate this situation.
Questions are already being asked about the cost of maintaining London's two education systems, two housing markets and two labour forces by refusing to let other regions stand on their own two feet.
It is often said that when one is tired of London one is tired of life.
After last week's election, London would be well advised not to try the United Kingdom's patience any further.