Post by Frenchie on Mar 28, 2010 20:06:38 GMT 1
Britain should call time on the "special relationship" with America and become less deferential to Washington, says a leading group of MPs.
A report by the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee says the expression - coined by Churchill more than 60 years ago - is now outdated, misleading and "should be avoided".
While stressing that the US and UK remain close, MPs say Britain should recognise America now has many other important allies and partners around the world.
"We shouldn't be sentimental about this relationship," committee chairman Mike Gapes MP told Sky News.
"We need to work on the basis of our national interest and take a clear headed approach to the United States. It remains our main international ally and partner - but not our only one."
The committee say what many see as Tony Blair's "unquestioning" support for George Bush on Iraq has shaped the way the special relationship is now seen at home and overseas.
"The perception, whatever the reality, that the British Government was a subservient 'poodle' to the US administration leading up to the period of the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath is widespread both among the British public and overseas," it said.
"This perception, whatever its reality, is deeply damaging to the reputation and interests of the UK."
MPs say the UK needs to copy President Obama's pragmatic foreign policy approach and take a more realistic view of the relationship.
"The UK needs to be less deferential and more willing to say no to the US on those issues where the two countries interests and values diverge.
"Over the longer term the UK is unlikely to be able to influence the US to the extent it has in the past."
A report by the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee says the expression - coined by Churchill more than 60 years ago - is now outdated, misleading and "should be avoided".
While stressing that the US and UK remain close, MPs say Britain should recognise America now has many other important allies and partners around the world.
"We shouldn't be sentimental about this relationship," committee chairman Mike Gapes MP told Sky News.
"We need to work on the basis of our national interest and take a clear headed approach to the United States. It remains our main international ally and partner - but not our only one."
The committee say what many see as Tony Blair's "unquestioning" support for George Bush on Iraq has shaped the way the special relationship is now seen at home and overseas.
"The perception, whatever the reality, that the British Government was a subservient 'poodle' to the US administration leading up to the period of the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath is widespread both among the British public and overseas," it said.
"This perception, whatever its reality, is deeply damaging to the reputation and interests of the UK."
MPs say the UK needs to copy President Obama's pragmatic foreign policy approach and take a more realistic view of the relationship.
"The UK needs to be less deferential and more willing to say no to the US on those issues where the two countries interests and values diverge.
"Over the longer term the UK is unlikely to be able to influence the US to the extent it has in the past."