Brits Scramble to Try to Salvage 'Special Relationship

Feb. 22—In London, policymakers are now debating the existential question: How can their empire continue when the post-war “special association”, usually referred to as the "special relationship" sic] forged by Winston Churchill with the United States is “being vaporized in front of our eyes,” in the words of former British Foreign Office Minister of State, now CEO of the U.K.’s Canning House, [Jeremy Browne.

General agreement appears to have settled on the urgency of the U.K. seizing the leadership of Europe, rallying it behind a military build-up preparatory for war against Russia. The Economist piece is most blunt. But there is that worry-will any of this work?

Chatham House Director Bronwen Maddox and a cohort argue that the U.K., as “one of Europe’s few full-spectrum military powers”—meaning nuclear-armed—should step in as the leader of the defense of Ukraine and Europe. Financing the required military buildup won’t be so easy, what with the political difficulties of cutting social costs, but “London is already proving a magnet for many early-stage informal conversations whether this might be done with defense bonds, defense development banks, pooled borrowing or other schemes,” they report.

Maddox and team imagine that Keith Starmer has some sway in Washington, so that the U.K. could perhaps serve as a “bridge” between Europe and the U.S., only then to sigh, that “the U.K. may have to choose between the U.S. and Europe at some point.”

The angst in BBC’s Feb. 20 report on “the huge risks facing Starmer” when he meets Trump in Washington next Thursday, Feb. 27 however, is downright funny because it is completely delusional.

BBC worries: “Transatlantic relations are in pieces…. It is into this cauldron of ideological enmity that Sir Keir will seek a hearing when he meets the president and his team at the White House.” Here is some of their advice:

First laugh: BBC writes that Sir Keir has an advantage because he “is one of the few European leaders who will stay in power throughout his presidency”! This is a stretch, in that Trump despises Starmer's and Labour's political Svengali, former Labour Prime Minister Tony "Tinny" Blair and his policies that manipulated the US. Along with other British assets on this side of the Atlantic, into the endless war in Southwest Asia post 9/11. Starmer, sources with knowledge, was out in power to handle the expected Presidency of NATO whore Kamala Harris. He is such a bad fit for Trump, that there is also talk of pushing him out, as soon as possible for a better Trump handler. Starmer was so stupid in his reading of Trump that he tried to appoint Blair's alter ego, "Randy Mandy" Mandelbaum as British Ambassador to Washington, only to have Trump turn around and refuse his credentials.

Second laugh: BBC cites the advice of Lord Darroch, the former U.K. ambassador to Washington whom President Trump threw out in his first administration, on how Starmer should suggest Trump get “a better deal” by adopting British tactics with Russia! Trump, sources report, resented being lectured to by emissaries of the declining British Empire. Trump is not about to listen to "sage advice" from Sir Keith or any other Brit, a source reported. Trump, who was handled by the most knowledgeable of all Brits, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and for whom he developed respect. The source indicated that now, his favorite is Prince William. It is expected that William might be dispatched by the Empire to see the President, if the Starmer visit soes south.

Third laugh: BBC concludes by citing an unnamed official: “We are living in a U.S. presidency which is based on great power diplomacy. If we can work within that, fine. If not, God help us.”