A warm welcome

I was rather taken aback yesterday by the warm welcome Prime Minister David Cameron received in Washington. After Gordon Brown was rather unfairly cold-shouldered by the Obama administration (infact he was packed off with a couple of DVDs and a rather cold handshake) it was good to see that Cameron and Britain are held in high regard by the U.S. administration. Other European leaders will be furious at the red carpet treatment the British Prime Minister has received. Politically speaking for Cameron his visit is a golden opportunity to show that he is a world leader on the world stage and other world leaders take his administration very seriously. Cameron also appears to have taken a note from the Prince Harry book of official visits; you rise to the occasion and appear to be enjoying yourself eventhough you haven´t a clue about basketball! Whatever anyone says the reception you receive in Washington is always a sign of your importance and clout. Cameron should be very proud. A three day visit, a trip on Air Force 1 and the world´s most powerful man underlining how important you are. I think Britain does deserve the red carpet treatment from the American administration, from Afghanistan to Iraq, Britain has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans and the cost has been high. But the U.S. administration appears to value Britain´s contribution and yesterday´s warm welcome was a clear sign that all is well between Britain and its powerful ally.