Posted on 11/11/2011 2:14:23 PM PST by Apparatchik
The UK should stop using the term "special relationship" to describe its alliance with the US, former Prime Minister Sir John Major has said.
The ex-Tory leader said the term was "patronising" and "sentimental" and should be "consigned to history".
In a speech in London, he said the US would increasingly be looking to Asia for economic and political support.
But the UK's trade, defence and cultural links with the US meant it could play the role of "candid friend".
The term "special relationship" was first used by Sir Winston Churchill in a famous speech in 1946, reflecting the two countries' fight against fascism during World War II and his personal friendship with President Franklin Roosevelt.
'Preserved in aspic' It has been used by a succession of prime ministers and presidents, most recently by David Cameron and Barack Obama during the latter's state visit to the UK in May.
With economic power shifting to Asia, he said it was natural that Washington's focus should be on developing relationships with powers such as China and India and - as this happened - it would be wrong for US-UK relations to be "preserved in aspic".
"Too often people talk of a special relationship. Every US president is advised to use the phrase and courteously does so but - although not intended to be so - it is rather a patronising term.
"The president cannot ignore the changing world. He would be failing in his duty to America if he did. He is likely to be followed by many presidents who must take account of strategic realities, however bound emotionally they may be to the ties of the 'special relationship'.
"It is time to consign this phrase to history. We don't need it."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Wow, people at FR really truly think Britain has been conquered by Islam. Even when those of us who are British try and tell them that such notions are hysterical nonsense.
As for PC-ism, America had turned it into an artform long before it came over here.
Let’s be more honest than Major is being: The Man-Child has lifted his leg all over the “special relationship” at every opportunity to demonstrate his contempt for Britain, and “special relationships” can’t be one-way streets.
Yes I think I'd accept that contention. There is a bit of a bad patch at the moment (copyright B Obama), but the fundamental deep links between the countries are much, much less affected.
The UK-US relationship is bigger than any one person, or US president. Our relationship will always be a unique one. Obama is just a momentary blip. I would not look at the US-UK relationship as not being special just because they temporarily elected an idiot.
Tell me how I’m wrong. Name one thing John Major is remembered for. The guy lost in a landslide to Tony Blair. This doesn’t point to an accomplished prime ministership.
Leaving the UK economy in a good state.
Initiating the Irish peace process with Irish premier Albert Reynolds.
Forcing the IRA to a ceasefire.
Even if he was a poor PM, he is STILL superior to Blair. The only postwar PM worse than him was his successor. Frankly, you have no idea the appallingness of Blair’s time as PM. I lived every day of it.
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