American Politics Journal

Britain Reacts
A New Era for Bush and Blair
by Nicola Mitchell

Oct. 15, 2001 -- LONDON (APJP) -- The war we've been hearing about for so long has finally begun, and as the war of words has given way to a war of bombs, the role played by Britain, and in particular prime minister Tony Blair, is becoming clear: one that is increased, one that ushers in whole new era for the relationship between Bush and Blair.

As I sat glued to the television last week to hear Bush's address to his nation about the start of the military campaign, I was shocked to hear how quickly he mentioned Britain's role. Within seconds of coming on air he had thanked Blair for his support, and with that he had cemented the new phase of the Bush-Blair relationship.

Since the US attacks, Blair has been described, at least in some quarters, as an ambassador for America or as Bush's personal emissary, an accolade which has its roots in Blair's many diplomatic jaunts around the world in order to shore up support for the US. However, it now seems that Blair is more determined than ever to demonstrate he plays a much wider role, and as a result he has been taking steps to cement this view around the world

It was Blair who first published some of the evidence identifying Osama bin Laden as the key suspect in the September 11th attacks, a decision which led to many questions from the news starved American media as to why no similar information had been received there.

But many are now beginning to caution against Blair's methods.

Domestically, as I have mentioned many times before, Tony Blair has assumed a noticeably "presidential" role. Since the attacks, parliament has met only three times, as has the cabinet, and although a war cabinet has been assembled, it has not met every day. Increasingly, Blair appears to be taking a one-man approach to all decisions that need to be made. The British cabinet, which traditionally sees the prime minister as "first among equals", seems to hold hardly any significance anymore, with Blair making decisions that will affect the future of the country in private with scarcely any form of debate.

Although his approval ratings are at an all time high, his determination to prove himself a prominent world leader increasingly places his country and himself at risk, as one hardline Islamic group having allegedly declared Blair a legitimate target has already demonstrated.

Meanwhile it looks as though the co-operation between the US and the UK may face challenges if demand grows in the US to extend the scope of military action to other states considered to be harbouring terrorists, a move about which the UK is less than enthusiastic.

While I firmly believe those who committed the atrocities that befell the US should not be left unpunished, I do not believe that the ideals of the free and democratic society should be shelved -- which is something Blair seems in danger of doing, because after all, isn't that what we are fighting to protect?

Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how far Tony Blair will use his new relationship with George Bush to influence US positions on other issues important to the world community.