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The Special Relationship

ARGUMENTS FOR:

The Special Relationship between Britain and America may have had its ups and downs, but it has been the cornerstone of our foreign policy since 1940, and has served us well.

It is a natural relationship, based on a common heritage, common language, and common traditions.

As much as during the Cold War, our interest in the conflict with Islamic terrorism is the same as America's. Co-operation in the gathering and use of military intelligence is made easier by the strength of the Special Relationship.

It enables us to act as a bridge between the US and the EU, thus preventing them from drifting into antagonism. It also gives us the opportunity to exert greater influence on the US than any other country can, in matters such as climate change.

The special relationship means that we have benefited from American defence technology, and continue to do so.

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ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

The relationship has always been unequal, serving American rather than British interests. Even during the 1939-45 war President Roosevelt aimed at the destruction of the British Empire.

It has led us to have a false view of our position in the world. States have no permanent friends, only permanent interests, and our interests are not necessarily the same as America's.

It has bedevilled our relationship with our European partners, and it is in Europe that our interests now chiefly lie.

Tony Blair's commitment to the special relationship led us into the disastrous war in Iraq.

Far from giving us influence, it has led the rest of the world to see Britain as America's poodle or satellite. Consequently we have far less influence in key parts of the world today (such as Russia, the Balkans and the Middle East) than France.

FIRST POSTED JULY 30, 2007

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