Many Brits live under the false impression that the UK has a Special Relationship with the US. In reality, it's far more transactional, especially for the Americans. This delusion is especially dangerous as post-Brexit UK seeks a new place in the world

While the two do have a very close relationship on security and defence built on post-war efforts, it would be foolhardy to expect any US president to place much emphasis on the UK's economic interests over any other third country https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
The problem Boris Johnson has is that a close relationship with the White House is more important than any time since the war, given the UK's new status outside the EU. What a headache, then, that the US is having an election with 2 v different candidates https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
On one hand: Trump likes Brexit, dislikes the EU and might see benefit in disrupting the EU by teaming up with the UK in a way that helps the UK economically. However, Trump is wildly unpopular in the UK and Boris does not want to be seen as his best mate https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
On the other: Brits are generally more pro-Democrat & more pro-America when a Dem is in the White House. However, Biden clearly does not support the UK's Brexit position, especially when it comes to Northern Ireland. https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
Which brings us to the Brexit paradox. A hard Brexit gives the UK most freedom to deal with global partners, yet the hardest of Brexits nixes the UK's ability to deal with its most important partner of all, at least in the case of a Biden presidency https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
Now, some choice quotes: "I don't think the British public understands the reservoir of public support for Ireland in America. I went to plenty of St. Patrick's Day parades, but nothing for St George's Day," says @tjscotto https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
“This recent public backing of the GFA has mostly been driven by American politicians … it gives the Irish confidence that should a hard border come into place, the world's biggest power will be a true ally” says @OxfordDiplomat https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
"Brits already think we have a very close relationship with America and only 21% want to see it get closer … If given a choice, our research shows Brits would prefer to have a closer relationship with Europe” says @chriscurtis94 https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
"Johnson is at least smart enough to know that being chums with Trump is not something that helps him with the British public” says Malcom Rifkind https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
"I never grew up thinking there was a special relationship, neither did my parents. All we knew about the UK was the Queen and an awful comedian called Benny Hill” says @scottlucas https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x
Tl;dr: The UK would love to have a special relationship with America; America can v much take it or leave it https://t.co/ijpbIvmD6x

More from Brexit

They have started in the Scottish case

Looks like a near-concession that the side letter is Padfield-compliant
A not-so-little thread on how post-Brexit work permit regulations will apply in Scottish football and why it’s, broadly, not a good thing...

1) Work permit calculations are based on the points formula from this site -
https://t.co/sjqx8Df7Zg

As things stand, while this article deals with England, the system applies to Scotland also.

The goal is 15 points and the article shows various ways to get there. Essentially, play regularly internationally or in a top 5 league and you’re in. But read the article because it’s a bit trickier than that.

2) There are elements of this I’d dispute. For example, here’s the banding of leagues and, lower down, it’s an absolute mess - Denmark (ranked 14 in coefficient table) and Serbia (16) banded lower than Croatia (20), Greece (18) and Czechs (19)? It’s wholly random.


I get the point that leagues should be banded, but there doesn’t seem to have been loads of sense applied to how these things are actually banded, rather they’ve just shoved a bunch of leagues together and hoped for the best.

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