𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

It’s fair to say the relationship between Britain and the United States feels strained right now. With tariffs slapped on British goods and harsh words coming from senior American politicians, it can sometimes feel less like a special relationship and more like living with an erratic, controlling partner.

The worst verbal attack came from President Trump’s recent comments about Britain’s role in Afghanistan. Those remarks had no basis in reality and will rightly anger many across our country. As a former Royal Marine and Afghanistan veteran, I know that first-hand.

When America was attacked on 9/11, Britain answered the call without hesitation. British forces fought shoulder to shoulder with US and NATO troops in some of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan.

457 British service personnel paid the ultimate price. Around 2,000 returned home wounded, and countless others still live with the mental scars of that war. We stood with America when they needed us most — and that sacrifice must never be forgotten.

But the truth is the special relationship runs far deeper than the comments of any one politician. It is built on shared history, sacrifice and values that have helped defend the democratic world since the end of the Second World War.

We share language, culture and democratic institutions. Our intelligence partnership through Five Eyes is among the closest in the world. Our armed forces train together, operate together and plan together. Quite simply, there is no defence and intelligence partnership anywhere deeper than the one between Britain and the United States.

However, friendship does not mean weakness.

In this new world of hard power and rising conflict, Britain must be clear about its national interest and have the strength to defend it. The United States recognises the growing threat posed by the authoritarian axis of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Yet this Government appears paralysed. Our foreign policy increasingly seems shaped by unnamed international lawyers whose interpretations cannot be scrutinised by Parliament. That is no way to conduct national security.

The Prime Minister’s recent handling of the situation in the Middle East shows just how out of depth this Government is. We may not want war, but our national interests are being attacked. If we fail to recognise that reality – and respond – we will be walked over by every tinpot dictator who believes Britain no longer has the will to stand up for itself.

The Prime Minister is not simply a lawyer interpreting legal nuance – he is the leader of our country. His first duty is to ensure Britain can defend itself clearly, lawfully and decisively.

As Kemi Badenoch has said, he’s not even strong enough to win a war with his own backbenchers. He is a political hostage.
Kemi has also rightly been clear that America is not going to continue to fund NATO’s defence of Europe unless we are ourselves spending 3% of GDP. That is why she is right to make the decision to reinstate the two-child benefit cap to boost the size of our military.

The cold truth is this: in a dangerous world, the UK needs the US as much as the United States needs us. If we want to recommit to the special relationship, Britain must once again prove it is serious about defending itself – and quickly.

David Reed MP was previously in the Royal Marines and Special Forces Support Group