Best of the Spectator Quite right!: is Britain still a great power?
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Mar 11, 2026 A brisk debate about Britain’s global standing amid the Middle East crisis. They probe whether the UK’s military and economic limits have eroded its power. Discussion turns to the UK’s reliance on and costs of aligning with the US. They weigh party splits, public opinion risks, and the messy, multi-actor realities behind foreign policy choices.
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UK Weakness Forces Reliance On The US
- Britain’s weakened military capacity forces reliance on the United States for status and operational support.
- Michael Gove notes diminished army, navy and air capacity have viscerally exposed that we may have to follow American policy rather than act independently.
Status Bought Through US Collaboration
- Maintaining British international status increasingly requires close collaboration with the United States for logistics and capability support.
- Michael Gove argues the US provides kit, base protection and support for Britain's nuclear deterrent and carriers, or status falls.
Acquiescence To US Has Unclear Payoffs
- Following the US into conflicts hasn't always delivered clear benefits to Britain.
- Madeline Grant contrasts Britain's costs from Iraq and Afghanistan with limited tangible payoffs like trade access later on.