I don't know what cold and rain has to do with studying, but it's hard to argue that Britain can be cold and rainy. I have friends who moved to the south of France for that very reason.
De gustibus non dispundanum est. I fled California for Seattle because Seattle was cold and rainy. Surprise... the past few years haven't been very cold, or rainy. (Gloomy still prevails in winter though.)
Haven't figured out an argument that liberalism flourishes best in hot, dry environments, though. But we need to restore the definition of "mossback":
mossback, noun. 1. An old shellfish or turtle with a growth of algae on its back. 2. An old, large, or sluggish fish. 3. An extremely conservative or old-fashioned person.
Mossback Pride!