Britons 'Do Not Care If US-UK relations Have Been Damaged By MP Syria Vote'

Is The 'Special Relationship' Between The UK And The US Over?
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America may have once been Britain's closest ally, but now, it seems, the so-called "special relationship" between the UK and the US has come to an end.

Britain's withdrawal from military strikes against Syria last week was seen in the US as a major setback undermining President Barack Obama's efforts to build an alliance against the Assad regime.

And it seems the government will not try again to persuade MPs to support military action against Syria.

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Is the UK - US Special Relationship up in the air?

Chancellor George Osborne insisted "Parliament has spoken", while foreign secretary William Hague said there was no "immediate possibility" of circumstances changing enough to secure support from Parliament.

Now there is speculation Britain's standing in Washington has been damaged by the Commons vote and that the UK will no longer be seen as a reliable partner and ally.

More than two thirds asked in the survey - 67% - thought the so-called "special relationship" between the UK and the US was no longer relevant in the modern age.

The poll also suggested 72% did not think the failure to win parliamentary approval to launch military action would damage the UK-US relationship.

Those aged under 35 appeared a bit more concerned than most about the UK's standing, with 57% agreeing the country's reputation would be damaged.

However, almost three-quarters of people believe MPs were right to reject UK military action in Syria, the poll showed.

Cameron said last week he hoped President Barack Obama would understand, and he had nothing to apologise for.

Meanwhile Chancellor George Osborne told Radio 4's Today programme: "There will be national soul-searching about our role in the world and whether Britain wants to play a big part in upholding the international system."