Special Report on Politics of America

Hugh returns from the USA and writes ....

The UK and Europe have underestimated the impact of 9/11 on the USA, with its huge affect on American political life and attitudes. The practical consequences, in terms of enhanced security, are obvious everywhere, says Hugh Robertson after a high level visit to Capitol Hill, which then switched to take in parts of Middle America.

The first five days were spent in Washington visiting, amongst others, Congress, the State Department, the Pentagon and the British Embassy.

Hugh was guest of the State Department. The visit was organised by the British American Parliamentary Group to enable young parliamentarians to study USA government.

The middle weekend saw the UK Parliamentarians paired up with a US Congressman or woman so that they could travel to their districts to see how they worked. Hugh visited South Bend Indiana as a guest of Congressman Chris Chocola (Republican) and attended a walk to raise money for Alzheimer's Disease, visited a Farmers Market and attended the Initial Selection Meeting for the USA Service Academies. The final few days were spent in Lincoln Nebraska studying State Government.

On his return, Hugh said:- "It was a fascinating trip and I learnt a huge amount . Three impressions predominate.

Firstly, we have underestimated the impact of 9/11 on the USA. The practical consequences, in terms of enhanced security, are obvious everywhere but it has also had a huge affect on American political life and attitudes.

Secondly, I had not realised the huge impact of fundraising on American Politics. It has made me particularly determined to retain strict financial limits on elections here.

Finally, I think we have a great deal to learn from the American approach to federal government. Local accountability is far more marked there than here and the individual states and districts have real power to raise and spend money according to local needs.

It is something we should look at closely in order to reinvigorate our own political system.