Blairs sycophancy towards the American president was rather unseemly to say the least but the rush from the tories to ingratiate themselves with Obamas is quite incredible especially as its now clear the contempt that comes the other way. Special relationship? Arselicking sycophancy IMO
A confidential cable marked “no foreigners” from 1 April 2008 records: “The deputy chief of mission asked Hague whether the relationship between the UK and the US was ‘still special’. Hague said he, David Cameron and George Osborne were ‘children of Thatcher’ and staunch Atlanticists … For his part, said Hague, he has a sister who is American, spends his own vacations in America and, like many similar to him, considers America the ‘other country to turn to’.
“Hague said whoever enters 10 Downing Street as prime minister soon learns of the essential nature of the relationship with America. He went on: ‘We want a pro-American regime. We need it. The world needs it.’ “
LeBaron noted dryly: “This period of excessive UK speculation about the relationship is more paranoid than usual … This over-reading would often be humorous, if it were not so corrosive.”
He advised against taking advantage of British neuroses and said the UK remained highly useful to the US because of its “unparalleled” help in promoting America’s aims. “Though tempting to argue that keeping HMG off balance about its current standing with us might make London more willing to respond favourably when pressed for assistance, in the long run it is not in US interests to have the UK public concluding the relationship is weakening, on either side.
The grauniad of course But its a good source for this.