The consistent refusal of British leaders to challenge US foreign policy will not change under David Cameron
David Cameron’s unwillingness to criticise Obama after he used the phrase such as ’kick some ’ass’, aimed at punishing BP for the Gulf gas oil spill, will be no different to the attitude that every British Prime Minister has taken since the Second World War.
While BP should not avoid harsh words for its reaction to the devastating oil spill, it is dangerous for Obama to suggest tough punishments for a company that funds millions of British pensions and whose future will have serious consequences for Britain’s economic recovery process. Even though David Cameron has defended BP on his recent state visit to Washington, he has not made it clear that if BP is subject to even greater costs for the oil spill it will only have negative connotations for the British economy.
The inability or ’unwillingness’ British leaders to criticise America is mainly due to this perceived notion of a ’special relationship’ between the two countries. Anything which could upset this apparent ’mutual’ bond, even it is just an offhand comment about a US official could threaten the foundations of the transatlantic alliance.
However, there is also a much deeper reason for Britain’s steadfast commitment to the US. It is due to Britain’s continued alienation from continental Europe. The European Union, which is still resented in Britain, can now challenge most of the laws passed by Whitehall when it sees fit. Cameron, like Brown, Blair, Thatcher and all the way back to Churchill, wants Britain to remain at the top of the table with regards to its international political influence. Britain’s role in Afghanistan and Iraq in the wake of fierce opposition from European countries is living proof of this. Naturally, an alliance with the world’s foremost superpower is a ticket to maintaining Britain’s global prestige, but whether it is of any great benefit to the British people is most likely up to debate.
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