I've oft wondered at the UK's recent (40 years or so) political posturing. It would seem that the the UK political class have deliberately undersold the UK's ability to act independently. The list of their failings are long and well documented.
Like her or not but Maggie had a pair and was not afraid to use them, this time round the forces at play realise the UK is almost on it's knees (thank you bankers, thank you gutless, self serving politicians of all sides) and have come out to 'av a go.
It's about time the UK stood up for herself and told others to F**K OFF!