How special?

Mr Blair's grasp of reality has long seemed suspect. But his assertion that "most countries ... would give their eye teeth" to have our "special relationship" with the US - as he told MPs yesterday - stretches credulity too far. How many envious foreigners do we see lining up to fight beside their American comrades in Iraq? Were national leaders rushing to Washington to meet Mr Bush a day after he endorsed Israel's unilateral peace plan? And how many Britons have been released from Guantanamo or let off death row? If these are the rewards of the special relationship, others are welcome to share it - and keep their teeth.

Mr Blair's grasp of reality has long seemed suspect. But his assertion that "most countries ... would give their eye teeth" to have our "special relationship" with the US - as he told MPs yesterday - stretches credulity too far. How many envious foreigners do we see lining up to fight beside their American comrades in Iraq? Were national leaders rushing to Washington to meet Mr Bush a day after he endorsed Israel's unilateral peace plan? And how many Britons have been released from Guantanamo or let off death row? If these are the rewards of the special relationship, others are welcome to share it - and keep their teeth.