Joe, in case you thought that I was anti-church, I'm not, and I was raised as a Catholic. My explanation was intended to show why the British are leery about Catholic politics. It is based on hard experience, although the worst was long ago. Nor do I support American interests, I live in a country which won't let American warships into it's waters, because they won't declare their armament.

I'm just instinctively a democrat (Note the lower-case 'd') and don't like unelected politicians much. Yes, I do know how popes are 'elected.'
And yes, I do think religious leaders should stick to religious matters.

Jim-Lad, does 'fermented' suit you better? And 'The Government of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?'

We do seem to get a slightly different slant on news here.