By Tom Fowdy
Whether it be Labour or Conservative in power, Britain's overall subservience to the United States will always remain the country's paramount foreign policy objective, the question of difference between the two being a mere degree of magnitude.
Since 1945, US support in World War II, coupled with the decline of the Empire, has led to the United States becoming the flagbearer of the hegemonic privileges Britain once sustained on its own, and thus "the special relationship" was born. Britain does not shape the world, precisely because it is no longer able to, but rather clings to the American vision for the world as its own, no matter how self-destructive or counterproductive it may be.
This unusual frame of mindset creates the scenario whereby you have a Labour Party, which once expressed total disdain and abhorrence of Donald Trump, now longs for his acceptance and friendship in a way that feels superficial and even desperate. A recent survey put the US President at just 16% approval with the British public. Bar a vocal minority of loud online right-wingers, the public consensus surrounding the US President is unmistakable, not only because of his values, but because his general persona contrasts so sharply with British cultural norms.
Trump's personality, after all embodies what I would call the "Jerry Springer Show Mould" style of American culture: sensationalist, rude, loud, abrasive, and shameless. Of course, as I have discussed previously, this is precisely what makes the President a deviously powerful communicator in the US political context. Yet, one would question for a figure so loathed in the United Kingdom why he is being given a second state visit in one year? How can the political need be so out of touch with the general sentiment? And the answer is because Downing Street seems abjectly terrified of upsetting the United States, under any circumstances.
If you have not guessed already, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is a pragmatist. This is obvious in how he has operated a Labour government, which has, in many instances, pushed right leaning policies, whether it be welfare cuts, or superficially taking a harder line against immigration, the government has alienated a lot of its supporters through its unfriendly policies. As I have stated before, however, the United Kingdom is in decline, and these tough decisions may be seen as necessary from a policymaking perspective. However, this also speaks volumes about Starmer's lack of political imagination. Rather than attempting to carve out his path, his own vision, and pursue meaningful change, he simply chases political currents rather than causing them.
This has ironically led him to become the most disliked Prime Minister since the first term of Margaret Thatcher, yet the political ruthlessness and calculated opportunism of the latter is what ultimately led to her sustained success. I see Starmer doing no such thing, hence when faced with a challenge from the US, his only option seems to be suck up, to capitulate, negating the entire strategy of his foreign policy to reengage with Europe, and to an extent, China. It is no coincidence, after all, that the UK is now suddenly concerned about "forced labour" in Chinese solar panels again, or readying to ban duty-free imports on small packages from Alibaba, Temu, and Shein.
Starmer may fear Britain's stalling economy, but politically, what else has he got to lose? He is already unpopular. He could engineer a conflict with Trump, he could stand up for Britain, play to the overwhelming dislike of the US President with some well sustained political theatre or even make a historical break with the United States, but like all his predecessors, it is just their institutional nature to follow, no matter what harm the US policies and demands in question cause to Britain.
Our country is rotting, and no unimaginative and politically unambitious leadership is going to change that. Because, look at this way, if Starmer fails, we risk being landed with what will be the most overtly pro-US British government at all time succeeding him, a reform-Conservative coalition.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Read more articles by Tom Fowdy:
Opinion | China will not bow down to Trump's coercion
Opinion | Ukraine is playing the China Card - The propaganda should be seen as what it is
Opinion | Trump's market manipulation and rhetorical mastery
Opinion | One country, two standards—British doublethink over Israel and HK
Comment