What would happen if the uk stood up to the usa over what its doing?

Question

Thanks lazy bob

Answer 1

There's no perfect answer to this, but given that the political right holds the levers of power in the US at the moment, there is unlikely to be any policy soul-searching on their part.

Bush is a Christian fundamentalist as well as being an old fashioned "conviction" politician. He and his advisers are absolutely convinced that the actions they take are not only right, but God's will and completely in the best interests of America. The administration has little time for its critics - remember the "You're Either For Us Or Against Us" rhetoric leading up to the invasion of Iraq, which ended up with the curious double-think that even intelligent dissent was anti-American and pro-terrorist.

So if Blair (highly unlikely - he and Bush are kindred spirits) or his successor suddenly took a hard line on US foreign policy, there would be an immediate critical backlash condemning us for pandering to world terrorists and having lost our way. There would be plenty of condescending stuff too about us having short memories about how they had helped us out in two World Wars (yes, I know they were late for both of them, had practiced rampant isolationism during WW2 up until Pearl Harbor forced their hand, and the cost of lend-lease nearly bankrupted us for the next 40 years, but they don't see it that way - and militarily, they made a massive and decisive contribution to both the European and Pacific theatres. Face it, we needed all the help we could get and they gave it to us - albeit at a price).

However, that's only the "sticks and stones" part of the backlash. Politically, Britain occupies a middle ground as being ostensibly European, but more pro-American than the rest of our EU brethren and despite our own economy being in pretty good shape, we're still probably more economically dependant on American goodwill than is apparent to the naked eye. In the relatively short time Bush has left of his Presidency, you could be sure that the administration would take some steps to hurt us economically - as they did with with France, not to mention some of our ex-pats (and there are plenty of them in the States) getting a lot of stick. Any British business interests would be adversely affected and trade links would become tricky. The US unfortunately still has the clout to hurt our economy in real terms just for disagreeing with them in public. In short, hell hath no fury like an American Patriot scorned - but the nature of American Patriotism is a whole subject in itself.

In an ideal world, moral certainties would dictate any country's response to events, but in the real world, politics always shades the margins and governs our responses.

Answer 2

Not much would happen. By "standing up" to the USA, all they would practically be doing is openly disagreeing with or not siding with America on their actions. Any attempts to prevent them doing what they want to do would be voted against by the UN, but Britain wouldn't politically try to stop them in any way. Too much money is involved - trade, weapon deals etc.
Did you know that when the Americans sold us the Apache helicopters they didn't include to operating software to use them?

Answer 3

UK would show with that step their integrity, pride and people would respect British a lot more.

P.S: People around world have feeling British are dogs to the Americans. Puppies they are, they do what USA tells them to do.

Answer 4

Should, but Tony Blair is to busy being in love with George Bush to stand up to him. (Im the person who asked if Tony Bair and George Bush were an item by the way.)

Answer 5

They would probably be brought to trial by the UN for unlawful aggression and have all of their weapons of mass destruction taken from them..........yeah right! Like anybody has the back bone to stand up for what's right, never mind stand up against the US!

Answer 6

The majority of this country and millions of people around the world would applaud our bravery. But, sadly, it's never going to happen.

Answer 7

that would neverhappen cos tony blair has no back bone.
but the usa would "take it under advisement" butdo nothing, cos their a super power and george w. is an idiot.

Answer 8

Tony Blair could kiss goodbye to his seat on Carlyle's board, and the lucrative speaking tours. He wouldn't be welcome at Bush's Ranch. It would spoil the love affair he is having with Bush.

Answer 9

what is the usa doing?

Answer 10

Bush would have to find himself another poodle.Who will answer to ",that's my boy Tone!" I said sit, Sit; not Sh..!