The old assumptions about transatlantic relations are being junked – by two men with big hopes of leading Britain and France.

Nicolas Sarkozy, who wants to win the French presidency, recently criticised his country’s “arrogance” in its dealings with Washington, earning a rebuke from Jacques Chirac, the present incumbent. And across the channel David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative opposition who currently leads in UK opinion polls, criticised Britain’s “slavish” stance towards the Bush administration – and upset US officials.