The Special Relationship

On Saturday I went with Bob Carr, former Member of the House of Representatives from Michigan, to Bletchley Park - the Codebreaking centre which was vital to the conduct of the Second World War - and was the place where the first programmable computer was constructed.



For more information on Bletchley Park press here.

Historic Cooperation

The "Special Relationship" between the USA and UK is of course of great interest to a blog which looks at the legislatures of these two countries. This week I visited a place which historically played a key part in establishing and developing that relationship.

A BBC News Report from February began this year - "The US/UK intelligence-sharing relationship is incredibly close and has been all the way back to World War II. It is arguably at the centre of what is known as the "special relationship"." On May 17th 1943 the BRUSA Agreement was signed at Bletchley Park which was a formal agreement to share intelligence. http://intellit.muskingum.edu/liaison_folder/liaisonintro.html (For further references). That agreement was signed at Bletchley Park. It was preceded by practical cooperation at that important site.

Bletchley Park was the codebreaking centre which played a (if not, the) critical role in the Second World War. It is also of major significance in the history of mathematics and computing. (Significance).

The site is now open to the public. It is well worth a visit. (actually worth a series of visits, I will certainly be returning). Whether you are interested in military history; computing; or the extraordinary story of the activities and individuals at Bletchley Park - this will fascinate you.

Over the summer months, when both Parliament and Congress are on recess (the Senate WILL eventually rise!), I will write a few posts about this fascinating place and its history. Details of Bletchley Park and admission arrangements can be found at the Bletchley Park Website.

UK Policy and the USA

This week there have been a couple of questions relevant to the UK-US Relationship.

On Tuesday Lord Renton of Mount Harry asked Her Majesty’s Government "whether they will alter their foreign policy as a result of the election of the new President of the United States."

The exchange (Question and supplementaries) can be found in Hansard for Tuesday 3rd February - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/lords_hansard_by_date.htm

Lord Judd will ask today Her Majesty’s Government "what representations they have made to the new United States Administration on future policy towards Iran."