Special relationship
“America has no truer friend than Great Britain. Once again, we are joined together in a great cause. The British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean to show his unity of purpose with America”. You’d be forgiven for thinking these are the words of the new President Donald Trump, given his love for Scotland and all things Brexit, but the owner of the words is actually George W Bush during his address to Congress nine days after 9/11. Although President Bush was thanking his buddy Tony Blair for attending the address and for his ongoing political support, this quote nicely sums up the UK Government’s fairly obvious alignment to the Trump administration this week.
Theresa May prepared the ground for her meeting with President Trump on Thursday, addressing congressional Republicans at a retreat in Philadelphia, explaining why the Special Relationship is so important, making sure Congress is prepared to swiftly pass a free trade deal with the UK and stating why it is important Uncle Sam continues to police the world. Her speech was praised for her ability to show the UK as a key ally of the US whilst offering tough advice on the Iran nuclear deal, climate change and Russia – all controversial topics with the new President. As the first world leader to meet Mr Trump as President, Downing Street is fairly pleased with itself, and it is interesting that Brexit has probably been the most useful diplomatic tool for the UK Government as they begin their courtship of The Donald. Will we look back at today as the start of a Reagan/Thatcher, Bush/Blair type of extra special relationship? Very possibly.
A two line Bill
Elsewhere this week, Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling threatened to derail Theresa May’s timetable for beginning the UK’s exit from the European Union. Following a loss in the High Court, the Supreme Court dismissed the Government’s Brexit appeal, meaning Parliament will be required to give its approval via an Act of Parliament before official talks on leaving the EU can begin. On Thursday the Government released a two line Bill, which will start its passage through Parliament next week and should easily pass through the Commons, but may take more time to pass through the Lords.
Although Labour has said that it intends to vote in favour of the Bill, it plans to put down a significant number of amendments on issues such as “not letting the UK become a tax haven”. Despite its commitment to support the Bill, there is dissent within the Labour Party about Jeremy Corbyn’s intention to impose a three line whip to vote in favour of Article 50, with one Shadow Minister, Tulip Siddiq MP, already resigning her post in protest.
Mild praise
The Supreme Court ruling served to overshadow the Government’s release of a Modern Industrial Strategy earlier this week. The strategy is intended to improve living standards and drive economic growth across the country, through boosting productivity. Based on ten industrial ‘pillars’, the strategy addresses a number of the UK’s most important sectors but received faint to mild praise from industry, with many pointing out that it does not significantly alter pre-existing Government policy.
All in all, a politically packed week with air miles being racked up by the PM, Trump cracking on with his Great Wall of Texas and the Labour Party selecting two Remainers to run in the Copeland and Stoke-On-Trent by-elections (good luck). One week closer to formally starting our exit from the EU, but perhaps a week closer to a global Britain – as Ronald Reagan once said, “You ain’t seen nothing yet”.