UK Doesn't Need 'Special Relationship' - Former PM

Former Prime Minister John Major has said the UK no longer needs the 'Special Relationship' between the UK and the US.

Speaking at an event held by International affairs think-tank Champham House on Thursday, Mr Major said the differences between the two nations were widening, while the UK should be turning its attentions toward the Pacific nations.

During his address called 'America, Britain and Europe: An Evolving Relationship', the former Conservative Party leader outlined the policy differences being pursued by the incumbent governments.

"Economically, the UK is pursuing austerity, while the US searches for

stimulus. Commercially, as a reminder that even the best of friends are economic rivals,

coalition ministers have been boosting trade ties around the world.

"Militarily, a Defence Treaty, agreed with France, has acquired more than

symbolic meaning with the close Cameron-Sarkozy response to the uprising in

Libya. And diplomatically, the government has taken a harder line than the

White House in criticising Israeli policy on building settlements deemed illegal

by the international community."

Mr Major said that looking at policy between the Atlantic nations, it was a mistake to focus only on the US and the UK.

"For a long time, a third partner – continental Europe – has been material to the relationship," he said.

The former PM also pointed out that the Pacific region, including India and China, is the growing centre of gravity for "future global growth" and was an area of exploding population and essential force driving global trade.

In one surprising revelation, the former PM pointed out that China was now the owner of over 25% of American government debt, and that the president "can’t ignore the changing world".

Mr Major said the 'Special Relationship', which was first talked about by Winston Churchill during the Second World War and mentioned recently by David Cameron following a meeting with US President Barack Obama, should now be consigned to history.

"We don’t need it," he said.

(DW)