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Miliband defends UK-US relations Miliband defends UK-US relations
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has insisted that the UK will continue to have "the strongest relationship" with the US. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has insisted that the US will continue to be the UK's "single most important bilateral partner in the world".
His assertion comes in the wake of comments from two other ministers which hinted at cooler relations between the two nations.His assertion comes in the wake of comments from two other ministers which hinted at cooler relations between the two nations.
Writing in the News of the World, Mr Miliband said there would be no change from Tony Blair's approach.Writing in the News of the World, Mr Miliband said there would be no change from Tony Blair's approach.
He said that people were just looking for "cracks" in the "vital" bond.He said that people were just looking for "cracks" in the "vital" bond.
His statement comes after new Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch Brown claimed the UK and the US would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy.His statement comes after new Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch Brown claimed the UK and the US would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy.
He told the Daily Telegraph it was time for a more "impartial" foreign policy and to build relationships with European leaders.He told the Daily Telegraph it was time for a more "impartial" foreign policy and to build relationships with European leaders.
Special relationshipSpecial relationship
Some analysts consider his remarks evidence of Labour distancing itself from the US and the Blair/Bush alliance.Some analysts consider his remarks evidence of Labour distancing itself from the US and the Blair/Bush alliance.
But Mr Miliband refuted the suggestion, saying: "With a new Brown government some people are looking for evidence that our alliance is breaking up.But Mr Miliband refuted the suggestion, saying: "With a new Brown government some people are looking for evidence that our alliance is breaking up.
"There isn't any evidence. And there won't be any.""There isn't any evidence. And there won't be any."
He pointed out that a strategy paper published last year by the government under Tony Blair had stated that the US was the UK's single most important partner in the world. A strategy paper published last year by the government under Tony Blair stated that the US was the UK's single most important bilateral partner in the world, alongside its multilateral partnerships with bodies such as the UN.
Mr Miliband said: "Nothing has changed. Our strongest relationship is with the USA." Mr Miliband said: "Nothing has changed.
"We are stronger together than apart. Our shared values give us real strength."
You need to build coalitions that are lateral, which go beyond the bilateral blinkers of the normal partners Lord Malloch BrownYou need to build coalitions that are lateral, which go beyond the bilateral blinkers of the normal partners Lord Malloch Brown
His efforts to reassure Washington of Mr Brown's commitment to the so-called special relationship closely follows a denial from Downing Street that another minister had criticised the US.His efforts to reassure Washington of Mr Brown's commitment to the so-called special relationship closely follows a denial from Downing Street that another minister had criticised the US.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander warned in a speech against unilateralism and called for an "internationalist approach" to global problems.International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander warned in a speech against unilateralism and called for an "internationalist approach" to global problems.
Lord Malloch Brown's newspaper interview was his first since being appointed Foreign Office minister.Lord Malloch Brown's newspaper interview was his first since being appointed Foreign Office minister.
He used to be deputy secretary general at the United Nations and is a known critic of the Iraq war.He used to be deputy secretary general at the United Nations and is a known critic of the Iraq war.
Lord Malloch Brown wants a more impartial foreign policyLord Malloch Brown wants a more impartial foreign policy
"It is very unlikely that the Brown-Bush relationship is going to go through the baptism of fire and therefore be joined together at the hip like the Blair-Bush relationship was," he was reported as saying."It is very unlikely that the Brown-Bush relationship is going to go through the baptism of fire and therefore be joined together at the hip like the Blair-Bush relationship was," he was reported as saying.
"That was a relationship born of being war leaders together."That was a relationship born of being war leaders together.
"There was an emotional intensity of being war leaders with much of the world against them. That is enough to put you on your knees and get you praying together.""There was an emotional intensity of being war leaders with much of the world against them. That is enough to put you on your knees and get you praying together."
He went on to speak of forging new links with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as with leaders in India and China.He went on to speak of forging new links with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as with leaders in India and China.
"You need to build coalitions that are lateral, which go beyond the bilateral blinkers of the normal partners," he added."You need to build coalitions that are lateral, which go beyond the bilateral blinkers of the normal partners," he added.
"My hope is that foreign policy will become much more impartial.""My hope is that foreign policy will become much more impartial."
'Get a grip''Get a grip'
His remarks come the day after Mr Alexander was accused of "coded criticism" of the policies of President George W Bush in a speech he made in the US.His remarks come the day after Mr Alexander was accused of "coded criticism" of the policies of President George W Bush in a speech he made in the US.
When asked if his comments amounted to criticising the US, Gordon Brown's spokesman said that view "was not shared" by the PM.When asked if his comments amounted to criticising the US, Gordon Brown's spokesman said that view "was not shared" by the PM.
Mr Brown, himself, told BBC Radio Five Live that he would continue to work, as Tony Blair did, "very closely with the American administration".Mr Brown, himself, told BBC Radio Five Live that he would continue to work, as Tony Blair did, "very closely with the American administration".
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has called on Mr Brown to "get a grip".Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has called on Mr Brown to "get a grip".
"What is at issue is not the relationship with the US but the nature of that relationship," he said."What is at issue is not the relationship with the US but the nature of that relationship," he said.
"Under Tony Blair the relationship was so subordinate as to appear subservient. Britain needs to be America's candid friend not its client.""Under Tony Blair the relationship was so subordinate as to appear subservient. Britain needs to be America's candid friend not its client."