Why Americans should take notice of UK election

Washington

DURING the UK general election of 1997, as Labour leader Tony Blair fought to unseat John Major and his Conservatives, an ambitious correspondent for the London Evening Standard travelled to Iowa, ground zero for US presidential election campaigns, to ask voters a simple question: Who is the British prime minister?

None knew Mr Major. A few took a stab with Margaret Thatcher. And one instead offered the bigger picture. "I don't know. But when the aliens land, and they will, you Brits will be glad to have the good ole US at your backs to protect you."