More evidence of why we need to be deeply involved with Europe and not sitting on the sidelines. If a Franco-German alliance is strong on our doorstep, our global influence diminishes as a nation, even if our relationship with Washington DC is strong, as one of the reasons the US administration maintains a close tie with Downing Street is that it provides a foot in the door at the European Union. There has long been talk of a two-speed Europe – I can see the UK being relegated to the hard shoulder at this rate, particularly if the current warming of relations between Paris and Washington continues.
separating the wanted from the unwanted