# What does the UK gain from the special relationship? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 24, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-uk-gain-from-the-special-relationship/511361 "2009-09-24T12:23:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-uk-gain-from-the-special-relationship/511361/1 "2009-09-24T12:23:25Z")
I’ve just been doin’ some thinking recently, and came across this article, it’s about the UK and the US so called ‘Special relationship’ > **[BBC - Mark Mardell's America: Not so special?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2009/09/not_so_special.html)** > > The blog of Mark Mardell, the BBC's correspondent In my opinion, it’s not particulary important, and even now, completely irrelevant, I like the US, I think it’s people are good and friendly, but as a native of the UK, it does irk me that the UK government seems to not get the respect it deserves in comparision say to a government which the US needs to have on its side, rather it already does. What does the UK gain in special advantages in respect other nations don’t? Do we get anything at all? (Btw as you can tell I’m talking from a purely UK-centric position) ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-uk-gain-from-the-special-relationship/511361/2 "2009-09-24T12:38:37Z")
There is no ‘special relationship’ , it’s propaganda put about by those who share the agenda of the anglo-saxon elite. The USA only has one special relationship and that’s with a little country down the far end of the Med. What the UK gets for carrying the USA’s coat of credibility is a kind of special status on the international stage - if you want the ear of the superpower maybe the UK can help. Also, it allows the UK to punch above its weight diplomatically so as to, for example, contribute to the international agenda as well as find suitable solutions to same. It also eases pressure on dated concepts like the UK remaining a permanent member of the UNSC. The ‘special relationship’ belongs in the mind of BBC newreaders, in Daily Mail editorials and with LittleEnglanders. It’s just the way business had to be done after Suez between the old empire and the new. ---
**Author:** ![ZomZom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zomzom/32/5620_2.png) [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-uk-gain-from-the-special-relationship/511361/3 "2009-09-24T13:11:22Z")
The phrase, “special relationship” is almost never heard in the US. Nevertheless, England is the go-to spot in many Americans’ mind for comparing how we do things with how things \*could \*be done, withought going off the deep end. Health care is an obvious example. “In England they do it this way,” is not uncommon to hear at all. Being validated on foreign affairs also involves consideration of the English perspective. Canada occupies a similar spot in our psyche, but England used to rule the world so we keep them up a notch. As for what the UK gets out of it? Compare what favors the current administration (which does not much care for England) doles out to the UK versus what was considered the norm previously and you’ve got your answer. BTW my use of the word “England” was intentional as that is what most American’s think of. The rest of the UK doesn’t really come along for the ride most of the time.