why are the british more close to the us than to continental europe?

Question

why are u agains't the euro?

Answer 1

Speak for yourself.

Answer 2

One must remember that in history the British were the people who colonised the USA and Canada. Just because you had a tea party in Boston, does not make those hereditary links disappear.

The mass colonisation of the Americas was never mirrored in Europe, and British people generally do not have many family links in Europe.

Ask the question why are we against the dollar? Or for that matter why do you not convert all your dollars into pounds, and let the Bank of England control all your monetary decisions.

I'm not sure people are against the Euro as a currency. I'm not sure that there is a true purpose of a Euro and Sterling, with a truly independent central bank in Europe and UK. However, one must assume that the dragging of feet with regards to joining the Euro has a lot more to do with hidden liabilities, off balance sheet promises and pensions, which when accounted for in the full glare of economic independence, we would see a bigger picture.

It is perhaps for this reason that there are no truly independent central banks. Therefore, with all the political influence in the world , we cannot change this situation with regards to interference in the money supply.

Is this clear?

Answer 3

Historically it's the British Empire connection and the amount of people from the UK that moved to the USA and the commercial ties.
A big factor has to be language that has continued the close ties and the easier exchange of ideas, books, tv and films all strengthen the tie.
Although there was independence, again wars between Europe and the UK have been going on far longer and with more devasting effects than the war of independence (no offence to those who died during this one)
Tony Blair is ultimately out for himself, having sold out the UK to the EU he cannot entirely be on the side of the US or he would never have given so much power over the UK to unelected beaurocrats in Brussels, I think his ties to George Bush are effectively a smoke screen for this ultimate betrayal of the British people

Answer 4

Beyond the shared language and the historical connection, there is the fact that the UK is an island nation and has for most of its history felt a certain geographical isolation from the continent, and liked it--remember the opposition the the Chunnel?
The US, safely ensconced in N.America, for most of its history has maintained a similar sense of distance from the rest of the world. Remember that until the Second World War the US was adamantly isolationist.
Because both happily maintained that separation, they developed commonalities that caused them, along with similarly isolated Canada, Australia and N.Zealand, to form a certain degree of common perspective built upon common language, culture and heritage.
That's one reason for opposition to the Euro. It's seen as a diminishment of the unique British identity, symbolized in this case by the UK's unique currency.

Answer 5

I think a lot of it is to do with the language barrier. Not many Brits speak a second language. At least America speaks English (mostly).

As for the euro, we are opposed to it for 2 reasons:

1. We are proud of the pound
2. The euro is seriously dodgy. Have you seen how strong the pound is against the euro? Would you really want to go in to a weaker currency? Also, our exchange rate would be fixed and would mean that we would get a bad deal when trading with the rest of the world.

Answer 6

Language is the prime reason. The British hate change of any kind and will resist the Euro as long as possible. This suits our rip off government otherwise everyone would realise how expensive Britain is compared to most of Europe.

Answer 7

I am not altogether sure that they are.
I think the British people are rather independently minded and ally themselves to those that they feel to be morally similar.
The UK tabloid press and popular TV may give the impression that we have close ties with the `us` as you so charmingly call them, but (and it is only my experience) most of the people I know are absolutely horrified by america`s foreign policy and the total disregard for other people`s countries and cultures.
As an example, look in the pages of this forum and witness for yourself the dreadful racist abuse spouted by the sadly misinformed members from `over there`.
Yes, we have many financial dealings with the `us` but money is money to any businessman, it does not mean any kind of moral contract has been entered into.
The rich are a world apart anyway and have no national feelings whatsoever, but they do like us to be patriotic as it keeps us working for their profit.

Answer 8

Well for one thing Britain and USA speak the same language (more or less), but it is not "the British" that is close to the US, but the current Prime Minister and hopefully that will change at the next elections when the Labour Party is voted out of power.

Answer 9

history and more importantly Money, biggest investor with most money invested in the States the British, Defence inc featured in michael moores documentary as major supplier of all weapons in the states is now owned by the brits, it was not seen cool that the bin laden family had shares so they sold them to the other terrorists the british Goverment part of the real axis of evil

Answer 10

I presume that is the US not us. The British government is closer to you not necessarily the people. Only fools are close to the present Europe and what it stands for.

Answer 11

Common language