Especially strained relations in Cameron's team
There is mixed opinion in today's papers about the remarks of a US State Department advisor that the 'special relationship' gave the junior partner little or nothing.
The Telegraph gives the remarks full coverage - surprising perhaps given their traditional Atlantacist predilections in terms of the UK's foreign policy - however it avoids commenting on the remarks directly.
The Times is less bashful and devotes its main leader to the issue. Looking to the future it notes:
The man who is the favourite to succeed Mr Bush — John McCain — is a committed Anglophile, much as Mr Blair’s near- certain replacement — Gordon Brown — is an Atlanticist to his core. The title of the seminar at which Dr Myers spoke was “How special is the US-UK relationship after Iraq?” The correct answer to the question remains “very special”.
The debate will roll on and on. Generally those that go gooey over the strength and power of the US say that the special relationship is strong and valuable. Those that seek to challenge that power emphasise the neglected aspects of positive European links could bring.
This places David Cameron in a delicate position. The State Department official said that he had been playing a canny game - but as previously mentioned here - he is surrounded by neo cons and Atlantacists - especially on his foreign affairs team.
Judging from that team - Cameron's populist frosty approach to the special relationship with will be one of the greatest areas of tension in the Conservative shadow cabinet.
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