Replies

"I still don’t get it... how is it in US interests for Britain to remain a member of something they don’t like? This whole story reeks...."

It's good to have an ally in a group that is not exactly in line with our way of thinking, is it not? Whether it is good for Britain or not is whole different issue!

Of course, it's not for the US government to dictate what the UK should or should not do, no more than the UK should tell the US what to do, but both nations DO have the right to state their own opinions and preferences, particularly if the decisions affect their own interests. If that influences the path taken, great, although there is a price to be paid.

The problem with these kinds of statements is that they are as likely to hinder as much as persuade. After all, no one likes being told what to do by someone else. Skeeter is irritated because he thinks the British are forever telling the US what to do, but of course the reverse is also true. Brits get just as irritated when they think the US is dictating terms to them, and that happens at least as often.

In this case, it suits the US for the UK to be closely attached to Europe. It doesn't suit the UK, for a very great number of very good reasons (like not wanting to be tied to the great socialist leviathan) but that of course is not the concern of the US. The US government is predominantly interested in promoting American interests, not British ones, which is as it should be.

The reason why the Americans like the Brits involved with Europe is that they provide a useful link with the still very important European countries. Britain has a "special relationship" with the US (based on shared history, language and culture), but the rest of Europe generally does NOT have a special relationship with the US (different language, culture etc). Therefore the Brits can explain to the Europeans what America is about, and explain to the Europeans what the Americans are about. A Britain heavily involved with European decision-making is better able to provide that link and more likely to result in America getting what it wants. After all, the British are far more likely to follow Washington’s lead on an issue than, say, the French - not so?