The United Kingdom: Issues for the United States

Derek E. Mix
Analyst in European Affairs

Many U.S. officials and Members of Congress view the United Kingdom (UK) as the United States' closest and most reliable ally. This perception stems from a combination of factors, including a sense of shared history, values, and culture; extensive and long-established bilateral cooperation on a wide range of foreign policy and security issues; and the UK's strong role in Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States and the UK also cooperate closely on counterterrorism efforts. The two countries share an extensive and mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship, and each is the other's largest foreign investor. 

The term "special relationship" is often used to describe the deep level of U.S.-UK cooperation on diplomatic and political issues, as well as on security and defense matters such as intelligence sharing and nuclear weapons. British officials enjoy a unique level of access to U.S. decision makers, and British input is often cited as an element in shaping U.S. foreign policy debates. Few question that the two countries will remain close allies that choose to cooperate on many important global issues such as counterterrorism, the NATO mission in Afghanistan, and efforts to curb Iran's nuclear activities. At the same time, some observers have called for a reassessment of the "special relationship" concept. Some British analysts express concern that the UK tends to be overly deferential to the United States, sometimes at the possible expense of its own national interests. Others assert that British policymakers are in the process of adjusting to new geopolitical realities in which changing U.S. priorities may mean that the UK will not always be viewed as a centrally relevant actor on every issue. 

The UK is one of the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU). While the UK's relations with the EU have historically involved a degree of ambivalence and a reluctance to pursue certain elements of integration, British policy and the UK's outlook on many global issues must yet be seen in the context of its EU membership. For example, analysts note that some UK policy positions, such as its approach to climate change, are closer to those of its EU partners than to those of the United States. 

On May 6, 2010, there will be a general election in the UK. The Labour Party has led the British government since 1997, first under Tony Blair and, since 2007, under Gordon Brown. For the past several years, polls have pointed to the likelihood of a victory by the Conservative Party, led by David Cameron, in the upcoming election. Recent poll numbers, however, indicate the probability of a hung parliament, a result in which no single party wins a majority of seats in the 650-member House of Commons. In this case, the Liberal Democrats, led by Nick Clegg, could have a key role in the formation of a coalition government. Although a hung parliament could result in a period of relative political instability, most analysts assert that none of the potential outcomes are likely to mean dramatic changes in the U.S.-UK relationship. 

The outcome and implications of the British election may be of interest in the second session of the 111th Congress. This report provides an overview of the election and discusses some of the issues that could affect its result. The report also examines the UK's relationship with the European Union and assesses some of the main dimensions of the U.S.-UK relationship. For broader analysis of transatlantic relations, see CRS Report RS22163, The United States and Europe: Current Issues, by Derek E. Mix.


Date of Report: April 30, 2010
Number of Pages: 21
Order Number: RL33105
Price: $29.95

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