THE SPHINX
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UK News Cameron’s state visit to the US gets underway
and cultural links. Secondly, because we share similar political agendas. The last century has seen almost uninterrupted relations between the US and the UK, and Obama has hailed the “special relationship” that bind the two countries. The tour has included a 360- guest White House dinner, with a ‘Winter Garden’ theme, where both leaders
exchanged toasts and gifts, a basketball game and a visit to Ground Zero in New York. The leaders are expected to discus their agendas on Syria, the possibility of an emergency oil release to tackle soaring prices, the nuclear threat of Iran, and the war in Afghanistan. Cameron addressed a crowd at the White House, where he stated, “When the chips are down, Britain and American know that we can always count on each other”. Indeed, the trip seems to have been a success so far. Cameron and Obama appear to genuinely get on (although some attribute this as the work of “state choreographers”), and the power dynamic between the two powers has shifted; Britain seems less like America’s puppet than it was during the Bush administration. For one, the City is now thought to be more powerful than Wall Street, as London is ideally placed in terms of time zones (London’s trading markets opens a few hours before New York’s, and just before Tokyo’s closes) and has a legal system favourable to investors, therefore takes on more foreign business than the US. To give some scope to this, it is estimated that foreigners own around one in every three pounds in the City. The tour is set to last three days.
This week has seen deeply controversial debate as to whether or not Gay marriage should be allowed in the UK. On the 11th of March, Archbishop Peter Smith on a television interview for the BBC claimed he was “very concerned about the proposal to alter the fundamental meaning of marriage, it has always meant… a lifelong union
between a man and a woman”. Religious objection to gay marriage is no new topic, however, it is the government’s proposals to bring it in that has formed a catalyst for the debate. Jo Smith, a member of Liverpool University LGBT, says that “What a lot of people don't realise is that same-sex civil partnerships can (as of December 2011) be held on religious premises, if the premises wishes to, and applies for a license for it. I believe the Liverpool Unitarian Church on Ullet Road is in the process of applying for one. However,
it's not technically a "religious" "marriage" - no official religious texts or references are allowed to be used, and the word "marriage" to denote a same-sex partnering is not allowed.”. Since 2005, homosexuals in the UK have been allowed to partake in Civil Partnerships, but it is as Smith says, really only a case of changing the wording of the legalities surrounding the ceremony. It is also an important move for the trans-gender community, who under current UK law have to end their marriages, should they wish to switch gender.
'negative outlook' simply means that Britain could potentially be downgraded in the future if the economy does not improve. It is seen as unlikely that this label of 'negative outlook' will affect the population dramatically. 'AAA' rated countries, such as Denmark and Germany, are seen as being of little risk to potential lenders. With the downgrading of France to AA+ coinciding with a 1% drop in the Euro’s worth, the pound is unlikely to be weakened significantly. This official notice by ‘Moody's’ comes as inflation has fallen to its lowest, at 3.6%, in recent months. This is generally considered a sign that for the average family, things are starting to get easier. For the average student, this notice won't affect their finances. A downgrade in British credit rating could potentially increase interest rates and weaken the pound compared
to foreign currencies, meaning that adjustable bank loans could become more costly and travel abroad could become more expensive due to the changed currency exchange rate. A significant downturn in the
economy could potentially drive up inflation again, making food prices and living expenses higher. A downgrade is not expected to happen for several years, if at all.
Rosie Krzyzanowska
This week has seen an effort to strengthen ties between the US and the UK. David Cameron is currently on an official state visit to the US, the second state visit between the two countries in a year since the Obama’s trip to the UK in May 2011. Whilst it is Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama’s fashion choices that seem to be grabbing most of the headlines as regards the trip, it is important to understand the political implications behind the move. Essentially, when David Cameron revealed his unwillingness to commit to a Euro-bailout fund that was championed the French and German chancellors, Merkel and Sarkozy, he partially exiled the UK from the EU. Whether or not you believe that this was the right or the wrong move by Cameron, it means that the UK is less politically welcome in Europe than before the referendum. Whereas we do not have to contribute to the IMF’s 700 billion Euro (581.5 billion pound) bailout fund that is soon to be gifted to Greece and other near-bankrupt countries, we are not as welcome at
Gay marriage row continues after Archbishop denounces proposals for homosexual religious unions UK’s AAA Credit rating given negative outlook Katie Foy The credit rating service 'Moody's' has given Britain a notice of 'negative outlook'. This has come as a shock to many in the government and in the banking industry. Other credit rating companies such as 'Standard and Poor's' and 'Fitch' had concluded that the British economy was not at risk of being downgraded. Though many other nations in Europe, such as Spain and France, have been downgraded in recent months, Britain had previously been left with its stable rating of ‘AAA’. This rating will remain unchanged, a
the table of European politics any more. In lieu of a lack of political allies, David Cameron is seeking to strengthen ties across the Atlantic. Obama is attempting to do the same, with his forthcoming Republican challenge on the horizon. The UK and US have a long history of diplomacy, firstly, because of linguistic, historical
Rosie Krzyzanowska
Royal Flush as Prince Harry Visits Belize Laurel Henning Prince Harry has recently completed a ten-day tour of Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica as part of his tour for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. He also visited Brazil carrying out promotional tasks for the government as well as working on his foundation, Sentebale. Whilst in Belize, the twenty-sevenyear-old drank local rum and danced with the local people. Remarking on his visit he spoke of his love for the music, culture and people. Surrounded by enthusiastic fans, Prince Harry arrived in the Bahamas on the 4th March, where he began his visit in a slightly calmer manner than the street parties of Belize, meeting with a number of dignitaries at the Christ Church Cathedral. He returned to his playboy image
during a golf-cart ride around Harbour Island later that day, when hordes of women blew kisses at the prince. Prince Harry described his Grandmother’s affection for the Bahamas, saying that it “stretches back over the decades, right to that first visit in 1966.” His speech served as an effort to remind listeners that the British Monarchy maintains its longstanding relationship with the Commonwealth. By contrast, ahead of his visit to Jamaica, the country’s Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller had publicly expressed a desire to mark the Prince’s visit as an opportunity to cast off Queen Elizabeth as the country’s head of state, affirming its recent independence. Harry chose to shrug off what could have proved an awkward moment with an enthusiastic hug for the Prime Minister. Whilst in Jamaica Harry raced with Usain Bolt on the University of the West Indies’ track, before becoming an honorary fellow of the Law Faculty. The Prince’s duties included enhancing economic ties and building enthusiasm for the approaching Olympics. These serious aspects of the visit were balanced with a charity polo match in Campinas, after