Monday 19 April 2010

Gibbs to Reporters "UK will continue to be one of our closest allies"

Today the UK general election became the topic of conversation in the White House Press Briefing Room, at least for a few minutes. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was faced with a question from a reporter concerning a report from the House of Commons. The reporter said that the report suggested that the term "special relationship" should not even be used any more to describe the relationship between the two countries. She asked whether the "special relationship" will continue even after the May 6th elections.

Gibbs replied that "The UK will continue to be one of America's closest allies in the world even after the elections". The reporter asked why he did not use the term "Special relationship" to which Gibbs jokingly replied"I do not have a special relationship with the term special relationship" Gibbs continued to state that the two countries joint actions such as Afghanistan and Iraq made the relationship special.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic the MOD said in a statement this morning that wounded soldiers could be diverted to coalition countries should the situation with the volcanic ash cloud continue. The spokeswoman stated to the times that troops could be flown as far as Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. The White House was not available for comment but with the restrictions on air travel in the UK set to be lifted tomorrow, it may not even be nessecary for the UK to call on its "special relationship" with the United States.

The MOD has ordered HMS Ark Royal, HMS Albion and HMS Ocean to start rescuing stranded Britons from Europe, Gibbs was asked if the US was considering using military assests to bring stranded Americans home. "We are considering all opportunities to provide assistance to our citizens" said Gibbs.



Apologies for Lack of Posts - Coming attractions

I, the sole writer for The Atlantic Hopper would like to apologise for the lack of blog posts on this website since last I posted.

Unfortunately due to the fact that I am unemployed due to circumstances beyond my control I have not been able to post as much as I would like.

The weekly radio show I co-host is off the air until September 2010 so I now decided to devote more time to this blog to keep my mind active during this time of what my political opponents would call "sponging off the state".

Next week I will be out on the Campaign trail with the Conservative party candidate for Boston and Skegness Mark Simmonds, I will be volunteering to deliver leaflets so I can experience campaigning first hand.

I will be following the campaign and keeping you all updated.

I will also try to report on as many White House Press Briefings as I can.