Brown denies foreign policy change

Updated 23.44 Fri Jul 13 2007

Keywords: George Bush, Foreign policy, Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown has denied there will be any change in Britain's special relationship with the US under his leadership.

Speculation began after a speech by a close cabinet colleague appeared to suggest a change of emphasis in tackling the threat of terror.

"The reason why a British Prime Minister will always have a strong relationship with the American president is that we share the same values" - Gordon Brown

Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary, told the Americans that military power may not be enough to win victory against terrorism.

He said to an audience in Washington: "In the 20th Century a country's might was too often measured in what they could destroy. In the 21st Century strength should be measured by what we can build together."

Mr Brown responded to this by saying: "Our relationship with America is strong, will become stronger in the years to come and the reason it will become stronger and the reason why a British Prime Minister will always have a strong relationship with the American president is that we share the same values.

Robin Shepherd, a foreign policy analyst, has his view on the mixed messages, saying: "The government has a very clear strategy at the moment of distancing itself from Tony Blair and I think it's very clear they want to woo back those voters that left the Labour Party at the last election over Iraq."