Scones
I think this is one of those issues manipulated by politicians and certain sections of the press to
a) make our government appear reasonable and strong in the face of a pretend enemy, and
b) to distract the credulous masses with something they can get riled up about rather than have them focus on more important realities.
Our government is there not to make a song and dance and threats all over the papers but to diplomatically, quietly and without risk resolve this situation with a country who have been our ally for 200 years.
Ally? Who dat?! Thy hate us, always have. De Gaulle blocked our entry to eec twice and campaigned vociferously to keep us out of europe.why? ......they hate us ! We have such a history of kicking their backsides, everywhere from Quebec to Malta and beyond.....and they never forgot or forgave us . The special relationship rubbish is simply because it's the first stage in any journey to rest of world, we usually have to step across France to get anywhere east, culturally and psychologically we're much more like the Germans, so the sooner we all come to terms and learn to accept it and stop trying to be 'best buddies' the better