London, as so often, looks like a separate country. It has by far the most diverse and cosmopolitan ethnic makeup: less than half of the population is classed as “white British”. It has the seven of the 12 local authorities where Muslims outnumber those of no religion, and one, Tower Hamlets, where Muslims outnumber Christians. London is also the future: of the 10 local authorities with the highest proportion of children under four, seven are in London and the other three are close. And although the south-east region as a whole is least affected by the present recession, it’s clear that most of the counties surrounding London are culturally very different to the capital, even if they share some of its wealth. They are much more homogeneous ethnically, economically, and by religion.