Will England's Conservative Party Return to Parliamentary Power?

Almost 29 years ago, the world was enchanted by the fairytale wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to Charles, Prince of Wales. The opulent event was broadcast globally, and Americans hung on every detail from the flowers to Diana’s beautiful gown. Flash forward to today as the gossip shows buzz at the possibility of another royal wedding. The Daily Beast’s reports that Diana and Charles’ eldest son, Prince William, may be set for a June announcement of his engagement to longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton. Americans are, as usual, fascinated with the royal family.

Another big UK event passed this week with a perhaps a bit less notice on this side of the pond. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with the Queen to request that she dissolve parliament, formally scheduling a national election for May 6. Brown’s poll numbers have notoriously sagged for the past few years, and he waited until the eleventh hour to call the election. The polls indicate that his Labour Party will likely suffer a narrow defeat, losing grasp of leadership for the first time in over thirteen years. In this event, the Conservative Party, led by David Cameron, will come out of the wilderness.

So why should Americans care? At face value, an election in far-off Europe might not seem as exciting as a storybook royal engagement. And our own President Obama doesn’t seem to place much stock in our relationship with the United Kingdom. After all, he removed a bust of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office which had been given to us as a gift in the aftermath of 9/11. He gave Prime Minister Brown a set of DVDs as a gift upon their first meeting, whereas Brown gave the much more thoughtful gift of a desk set made from timbers of a Victorian anti-slave ship.  On the UK side, a group of members of parliament recently released a report suggesting that the close British partnership with the U.S. needs to be reexamined.

Just how close is that partnership? In the days following World War II, Churchill made a speech in which he described a “special relationship” between the U.S. and UK. He was referring to our two nations’ shared history, culture, and language. But more importantly, he was invoking our shared security and prosperity and the fact that the two transatlantic friends have stood firm together in times of peril for generations. We continue to do so today in places like Afghanistan.

Despite our president’s mishandling of what should be his closest friendship, the American people know just how important the special relationship really is. A poll conducted by my organization, the Atlantic Bridge, shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that the UK is the nation most likely to support the U.S. in times of crisis.  A majority also agree that the special relationship is the world’s most important bilateral partnership, and that the UK is most like the U.S. in basic values.  And Americans are well aware that the UK has provided more troops in Afghanistan than any other nation besides the U.S.

So a change in UK leadership impacts us deeply, whether we realize it or not.  I predict big things from David Cameron, should he become prime minister. For one, our already robust defense cooperation will get even better. Gordon Brown and his Labour Party have been accused of denying British troops in Afghanistan vital helicopters and other support. Cameron and his future Secretary of Defense Dr. Liam Fox, on the other hand, have articulated strong support for winning the fight and giving the troops the tools they need to do the job.

Cameron also has the potential to directly reinvigorate the special relationship. He has pledged to offer the U.S. “solid but not slavish” support on foreign policy, and to be a “candid friend” who tells us what we need to hear.  Perhaps this kick in the pants is what the relationship needs. And I have a feeling Obama and Cameron will get along swimmingly. They have already reportedly hit it off quite well in their few meetings.  A very strong signal was sent when some Obama aides went to work for Cameron. This seemingly means that the Conservative Party leader is acceptable in the corridors of our Washington liberal elite.

Whatever the outcome of the election, one thing is clear. The United States and the United Kingdom will remain close friends and supporters no matter who is in office. As Americans focus on a potential royal marriage, they should consider the equally profound bond they share with the British.