Today is the last day of David Cameron’s three day U.S. trip. Any time a British Prime Minister and an American President meet the “special relationship” is reaffirmed, and the two country’s shared sacrifices acknowledged. And, every time the relationship is mentioned those who express skepticism or disdain towards its unique nature make sure to have themselves heard. In the UK, largely in part to British participation in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, there are many who see the relationship as too one-sided as Britain bends to the wants and needs of the U.S., particularly in regards to foreign policy. This feeling of being America’s “poodle” has stoked anti-Americanism in the UK. Yet for all of the differences and misunderstandings that remain between the U.S. and the UK it is vital to maintain this special relationship.

Despite the anti-American attitudes held by some Britons, America remains one of the most popular holiday destinations. The British not only visit America in huge numbers (over 5 million last year), but more British students are studying in America than ever before. Britain has embraced American music and film eagerly, so much in fact that some in Britain jokingly refer to their country as the fifty-first state. The UK has far more in common with the U.S. than any of its much closer neighbors. Sarkozy was right when he said that the British just do not “get” Europe in the same way those on the continent do.

While this is noticeable culturally it is also very clear politically. The U.S. and UK share a legal and cultural tradition. The British enlightenment thinkers who inspired the American Revolution and established the bedrock of anglosphere political theory are alien to continental Europeans who would rather take inspiration from eighteenth century Hegelians and Marxists or the revolutionaries of France. Common law and rights based individualism, while perhaps diluted over the years, is a philosophic heritage that is not only rare, but also binding. An acre of Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed, was gifted to the United States, and a gold replica is housed in the rotunda of the Capitol building.

The “special relationship” seemed to be on shaky ground at the beginning of the Obama presidency. Obama returned a bust of Winston Churchill that had been displayed in the Oval Office since the 9/11 attacks, a move that prompted some rather amusing conspiracy theories. There was also the awkward moment when Obama presented HRH Queen Elizabeth II an iPod for her birthday. On Gordon Brown’s first meeting with Obama he was presented with a DVD collection, after he had presented Obama with a pen holder made from the wood of HMS President whose sister ship provided the wood for the Oval Office’s desk. However, Obama now seems to be on better relations, even taking the time to teach David Cameron a little about a sport most Britons know nothing about, basketball.

Since 9/11 the United States has done well to alienate itself and to make enemies around the world. In the years moving forward it is worth the effort to preserve the relationship with our most historically reliable and most legally and politically aligned ally.