Jump into our online debate and spill the tea on why the US-UK bond might be fading!

This House Believes That the US–UK “Special Relationship” is over.

For decades, politicians have spoken about a “special relationship” between Washington and London: shared history, shared security, shared values. But in a world of shifting alliances, transactional diplomacy, economic nationalism, and domestic political turbulence on both sides of the Atlantic, is that relationship still real—or is it now mostly brand and nostalgia?This debate asks a blunt question: has the UK become just another ally in America’s hierarchy of priorities, and should Britain finally behave that way too? We’ll test whether the “special relationship” still delivers meaningful advantages in security, trade, intelligence, diplomacy, and global influence or whether it has become a comforting story that can no longer survive the facts.Expect clashes over NATO, intelligence and defence cooperation, AUKUS, trade leverage, Ireland and the EU, values-based foreign policy, and whether Britain’s real strategic future lies in doubling down on the US—or diversifying away.Is the “special relationship” an operational reality or a political myth?

• Does it still change outcomes when it matters—or only provide photo-ops?

• If it’s over, what replaces it: Europe-first, Indo-Pacific tilt, or pragmatic non-alignment?

• If the relationship is “special”, what concrete privilege does the UK get that comparable allies do not?

• When was the last time the UK changed a major US decision?

• Does calling it “special” increase UK influence, or reduce UK leverage by signalling dependence?

• If a crisis hit tomorrow, would the US choose the UK’s interests over its own domestic politics?