The reason that we English are refered to as "perfide Albion" is that English foreign policy has always been to ally with the smaller European powers, in order to balance the power that France has in Europe. That power comes directly from France's geographical position and size. Along with Germany/Austria. Fortunately France and Germany, have for most of their history been enemy's. Needless to say, the British Foreign Office has always proved quite adept at playing The Great Game in order to preserve the status quo. In other words, that honest, upright chap with the public school accent can be a sneaky devious clever git when the situation calls for it.