Is it time to end the 'special relationship' with the US and shift more to the EU?

Question

Who thinks we should strengthen ties with the EU and drop the apparent 'special relationship' we share with the States?

I do 'cos they really do believe they own the world, and always have to save our and Europe's asses (ITS ARSES!!). Id much rather share a special relationship with nations like Germany or France, 'cos they need the UK to have a serious influence on the world as we're the three richest nations in Europe. Anyway ill shush and let you put your points forward.

Answer 1

All nations ultimately act in their own self-interest. When it is more beneficial for UK to lessen its alliance with USA and strengthen ties with the EU ... it will. That's a long ways off baby! America and UK have too many shared mutual interests ... not to mention that America is THE superpower. The two countries have deep history, similar cultures, and they share the same language.

Answer 2

Do so at your own peril.

http://britainandamerica.typepad.com/bri...

Answer 3

@Eamonn The Don

Testify!

Answer 4

*Okay:)   You say " We (Americans) Think "- I wonder where you got that impression?  

*Then you say "Share a SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP  else-where " um hum...  The only person on earth I Suck Up to is my woman- but I think I know what you mean.

*Let's say we stop all the bad stuff-  and all the good stuff too, shut our borders, and just enjoy what we got, now, for US ONLY...... you bitchin' about that yet?

Answer 5

defo

but why do we need to shift to eu..cant we just stay neutral

Answer 6

Relationship must be strengthened with EU which is economically strong and evade US which is now lagging in economy due to its intervention in other countries.

Answer 7

The special relationship was invented just after the 2nd world war to blind the Brit public as to the truth, that we owed the US so much money it has taken us 60 years to pay it off.

We have more in common with Europe these days, both politically and socially, but a lot of our popular culture comes from the US media/music machine. As to your question, the US economy will destabilise very soon thanks to Dubya's idiocy, we need to cosy up to Europe as a cold wind is gonna blow from the states soon.

Answer 8

Not if it means closer ties with the e-feckin-u.

Answer 9

I have never been in favour of EU, but it looks like its here to stay, if I like it or not!

What puzzles me is why you and many others think this should affect our own relationship with the USA??

                              You are obviously not in favour of the present conflicts between Afghanistan Iraq etc, do you really think we in the UK were 'dragged' into those conflicts kicking and screaming? I didn't see much action from the UN or the EU on these issues, should we perhaps just have sat back and waited for a few more bombs etc?

                                The EU to my simple mind is a waste of time and money (lots of money) remember the big debate on the question of bananas? should they be straight?? Its something like a Monty python show!!

And the expenses these fellers are claiming for all this !

OK forget the two world wars if you can l!!  I cant !

Also I cant forget the Americans telling us to get out of the Suez, but If I had my back to the wall I would prefer an American watching it rather than any European., which European country do you think would be there in the first place????

Give me the Americans, Canadians, New Zealand , Aussies, Gurkhas etc etc anytime.!!

France? Germany? Italy? Outer monglubida? No thanks !!!

Answer 10

you mentioned the war, at the end of the war germany said they shall win the peace which means economic warfare, the e.u. is designed to conquer the world, 27 captured countries witness to that, it wants to take away your ability to have your own oppinions and dominate you. it brainwashes its victims into believing in money, comfort and convenience, for us brits to leave america is like giving away your own children and saying you kids are no longer the way forward, your being dumped, because europe has got money and they are going to give me some.

Answer 11

In my view the British have a choice: either live under the thumb of American hegemony the so-called "special relationship". Is that why under certain treaties Britons are treated like second class citizens. For example, the Americans can extradite British citizens but, in turn, the British cannot extradite Americans.

Now, the alternative, if the British had been more cooperative with the European project in the first place then we might have more influence on what goes on there, but, as it turns out we have much influence as France. So, in conclusion I think, as a Briton, we should edge away from America, and their disastrous aggressive foreign policy, and closer to Europe.

Answer 12

I'm an American.

I think it would be a good move on Brittians part to do what you suggest.

The EU might have to join forces and stand up to the apparent American world wide aggression one day.  

No one elected us "policeman" of the world so someone should stand up and say, "Go home.  We'll worry about this."

Good luck.

g-day!

Answer 13

NO, the EU is an UNELECTED bunch of W*NKERS that we could do without. We solved their problems TWICE in the past. They never paid us back. And people want to suck up to these LOSERS. My Grandfather got shot to save us from all this rubbish. I am willing to get shot to stop this nonsense. MP's - GET A REAL JOB

Answer 14

You must be bloomin' well joking! My grandfather's both fought to stop the sodding Germans taking over (only one returned)  and the French are nothing but a set of moaning, cowardly  whingers! Give me the Americans every day cos at least with them you know where they are coming from and you don't need a flippin' translator! The worst thing this country ever did was to join the EU, I voted against it originally in the 70's referendum and have never changed my mind about the decision I made then. I would do exactly the same now if we could vote again!

Answer 15

No, We are British first then European secondly. Why should we belong to a club that half the members don't like us.The French don't like us The Germans hate us, most of Europe don't like our way of life.So that special relationship with the US is very important to the UK in case we have another Hitler on our door step in the near further never trust them the Europeans.

Answer 16

yes yes and thrice yes

europe and russia and india and china should all join forces and put a stop to america's vile capitalism which causes major world poverty

Answer 17

There is nothing esentially wrong with Americans. It is the US Administration that is the spanner in the works.

Answer 18

Why should we have anything to do with a bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys and who along with Germany want to impose a 4th Reich on us, we fought 2 world wars to keep this country a democracy and you want to throw it all away without a shot being fired ! The hundreds of thousands of young men who gave their lives must be spinning in their graves that they sacrificed their lives for cowards like you to throw it all away. If it comes to a choice between the yanks or the Europeans I’m with the yanks every time at least they aren’t stabbing us in the back every chance they get unlike some across the Channel.

Answer 19

Yes , you are right , the U.S. is playing the bully of the world and Britain should get as far away as possible from them . After all , Britain is a European country

Answer 20

The EU is a failed experiment, and Europe is dying.  Its population aging, soon to plummet, and it has structural deficiencies that are politically difficult to resolve.  We don't believe we own the world, but we are a superpower, whereas Europe is a declining power, militarily impotent, and economically weak.  Between 2040 and 2050, Germans and  the French will, on average, have half the standard of living as Americans, if current trends persist.  It is not in the UK's best interest to hitch onto a sinking boat.  You will only be pulled down with it.  You should also keep in mind that while the UKs economic growth is strong compared to Europe, it is the weakest of all the Anglophonic countries.

Answer 21

Since Brown took over things have changed for the better.

I think the world should boycot USA for a long time as they cause more misery to the entire wordl.

Answer 22

This is a shame.

When there is a major calamity in any part of the world, such as a Tsunami, or deadly earthquake, and international aid is needed, one of the FIRST countries (along with Britain) to send people and aid is the United States.

The U.S. does not just send military aid as most would like to think.

Now, when the U.S. has a major disaster of some kind, and people are killed, how many countries actually step up to the plate to help?

Not many at all.

How many CHEER when this happens?

More than many would like to admit.

Now, I know no society or its people are perfect, but come on...you have far worse allies than the U.S.

You don't see Americans trying to blow up Picadilly Circus, or the tunnel system.

Americans don't behead or murder POW's.

And, if this is coming from a true British person, then I'm surprised, because Americans think very highly of the British people, and appreciate the relationship our two countries share.

It's actually sad to see so much anti-American sentiment.

If you look at what the U.S. does or tries to do in the world, and I mean really look, you would see that the intentions are good intentions.

And I know, the road to h**l is paved with good intentions, but no country is PERFECT.

I'd like to see Germany or France agree to help the next time the UK is bombed by some idiot terrorist.

Answer 23

You could always go the way Eamonn The Don! suggests... :OP

Answer 24

ha ha ha thanx for the laugh, last time i looked the Europeans all ran away and hid in our hour of need. from what iv seen and heard il stick with the yanks thanx. Europe only wants us for our money. lifestyle, and to have a nice big European empire for the Germans and the french, wake up you lot for god sake while you still have some independent thoughts and before you all turn into European stepford wives

Answer 25

I agree with you 100%. However, I think there should still remain some kind of tie, otherwise they'll go even more mental without some decent advice from us (although they never take much note). It's really funny, but since that Bush elected himself as president, the animosity towards the US has increased enormously. I also think we should forge much stronger links with China now as it will be superpower extreme in 10 years from now. Some good EU sense and diplomacy may help allay thier human rights record.