From my perspective, I think many on this side of the atlantic tend to think of the english as being more sophisticated, cultured and friendly (if not as much as our neighbors to the north). I also think that when someone speaks with an english accent that people here tend to give them 10 iq points more than they actually have.

As for my own personal opinion, I have a very positive opinion. In particular, i've always considered the greeks and the english to be the basis for 'western civilization'. It may be that one day I would add the US but I think it is too premature at this point.

I recognize that I attribute certain things to the English that rightfully started elsewhere (like trial by jury), but the English have been the ones to institutionalize these concepts.

Then there is the example of WWII where we saw the indomitable spirit of the English people in stark contrast to say people like the French. Or in the words of Churchill:

" We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender and even if, which I do not for the moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, will carry on the struggle until in God's good time the New World with all its power and might, sets forth to the liberation and rescue of the Old. . "

The concept of 'vichy' England is impossible.