Politicians need to determine what’s best for Britain’s future

AT first sight it seems to a dyed-in-the-wool Englishman rather cheeky for an American to write about our country and its relationships (Yorkshire Post, October 7). But Ted Bromund’s article evoked serious thought about that relationship.

It is supposed to be a “special relationship”, but is it only “special” if that is in the interests of the USA?

Harking back to the last Great War, the USA at that time seemed to be jealous of our worldwide Empire. Did they hope that the War would weaken that Empire? Indeed, set into motion the loss to Britain of any control of so large an Empire? Did this contribute to the USA’s decision on those desperate early years of the War to confine themselves to supplying us with armaments, incidentally gobbling up most of Britain’s finance. Would they have remained in this lucrative and isolationist situation until the end of the War if they had not been attacked by Japan?

It seems desirable for the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, for which Mr Bromund is a senior research fellow, to give thought to and answer these questions.

How does an Englishman regard the USA? Despite the niggling concerns which evoked the above questions, does he still regard them as “best friends” among the nations? He is certainly grateful to them for defeating, albeit with our help, the Nazis and Japanese warlords, but would the US have succeeded in Europe if the British Isles had been Nazi-occupied?

There is justification for a special relationship in that the British explorers were predominant in the establishment in North America of Western civilisation, so is this not the foundation for a solid relationship between two English-speaking nations?

But is there not uncertainty among the British as to where their influence will have the most benefit – the USA, the British Commonwealth of Nations or the EU and is there discomfort in any pact with the EU whose major players are Germany and France, historically old enemies?

Where would Britain have the greatest influence?

Would it not be next to nil in the EU (acceptance of that fact, and the need to liberate our manufacturing and other bases from EU restrictions suggest we should rule out the EU).

Mr Bromund tried to play down the importance of the Commonwealth of Nations. To what extent was he guided by that old jealousy of our Empire? But is that not where our future lies?

Should we not be concentrating on making our Commonwealth into one assertive influence, bringing the members ever-
closer together, discussing and making decisions on global affairs?

Or should we take the weaker step, of hanging onto the coat-tails of the USA despite the possibility of them only helping us if what needs to be done helps them.

So many questions! Clearly, this is a crucial time in world affairs and where power will be the most beneficial.

But our media, our politicians, must wake up to a need, not only to provide answers, but to determine what is best for the British now and in the future.