Opposition leaders Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy have met President Bush.

They formally welcomed the president - but Kennedy made clear his opposition to the Iraq war.

The Liberal Democrat leader urged the president to recognise the strength of anti-war opinion both in Britain and Europe.

Whilst the prime minister enjoys a close relationship with the president, in ideological terms Howard is closer to the neo-Conservative views he espouses.

Both are instinctively low tax and small state - adopting a small "c" conservative approach to social issues.

"I had a friendly and useful meeting with the president," Howard said afterwards. "We had a fruitful discussion on a number of topics. I look forward to seeing him again."

Howard was briefed on the accelerated handover of power in Iraq and also claimed to have raised the issues of Guantanamo Bay and US steel tariffs.

"We agreed that the objective must remain the handing back of authority to a genuinely representative Iraqi administration capable of sustaining public order and the rule of law," Howard said.

Whilst the two opposition leaders got their photocall on Wednesday afternoon, it was the prime minister who will get the president's ear.

Mirroring Blair's visit to the Texan ranch of the first family, the presidential motorcade will on Friday head the North East to see the prime minister's Sedgefield constituency.

The two leaders are expected to visit Blair's home before travelling five miles for a pub lunch.

In the past the Tories have aligned themselves with the Republicans - with Margaret Thatcher forging a close political and personal relationship with Ronald Reagan.

John Major, who worked with President Bush Senior in the first Gulf conflict, carved out a lasting friendship with his US counterpart.

But in 1992 the US people spoke and Major had to settle down with the Clinton White House.

Relations between Major and Bill Clinton remained cordial in public.

But claims that the Conservatives had armed the Republicans with details about his past during the 1992 presidential election prevented anything more fruitful emerging.

Tony Blair, however, went on to enjoy close relations with President Clinton - but failed to offer him the state visit now being afforded to Bush.

Labour learnt lessons from the Democrat campaign in 1992 and deployed their tactics in the 1997 general election which propelled Blair into Downing Street.

And Clinton took a proactive role in Northern Ireland - stepping into critical negotiations to provide a much needed push at sticky moments.

But after the 2000 presidential poll, the prime minister had a new White House to contend with and lost no time in forging relations.

The revelation that Blair and Bush shared the same toothpaste was an omen of things to come.

Like the president, the prime minister has a strong sense of faith - which both rely upon in making judgements on key issues.

Both Blair and the president have also carved out a reputation as war leaders - unwilling to yield to siren voices.

Now they both face the prospect of re-election with their decision on the Iraq conflict likely to feature highly.

For Bush Wednesday's visit marked the formal launch of his presidential bid.

The White House is acutely aware of the political upside of news coverage of the president standing alongside the Queen and the Royal family.

And to the frustration of some left-wing MPs, a Labour government may just have provided the launchpad for a republican victory in the 2004 election.