Nigel Farage has slammed the decision to block Donald Trump from addressing Parliament during Trump’s UK visit next month. The Reform UK leader called the move “shoddy” and accused the Labour government of favoring Europe over the US.
Trump’s UK visit begins on 17 September, just after Parliament breaks for party conferences. Farage claimed this timing was “cowardly” and showed Labour’s true priorities. Downing Street denied the recess was intentional, stating that Buckingham Palace set the dates.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to MPs during his state visit. However, only a quarter of state visits since 1952 have included such speeches. Three US presidents—Reagan, Clinton, and Obama—addressed Parliament, but Trump faced opposition even before his 2019 trip.
In 2017, then-Speaker John Bercow vowed to block Trump from speaking in Parliament. Two years later, over 100 MPs signed a motion criticizing Trump’s “misogyny, racism, and xenophobia.” Notably, current Foreign Secretary David Lammy backed that motion.
Earlier this year, Labour MP Kate Osborne urged the Speaker to prevent Trump from addressing MPs. A parliamentary motion supporting this stance gained signatures, mainly from Labour and Green MPs.
Farage, a vocal Trump ally, acknowledged the controversy but argued Trump is “more pro-British” than Macron. He stressed the US-UK alliance’s importance for trade and NATO, calling the snub a sign of misplaced priorities.
On social media, Farage demanded: “Parliament should be recalled, and Trump must address both Houses.” Meanwhile, the Lib Dems suggested inviting Canada’s Mark Carney to speak instead, calling it a rebuke to Trump’s trade policies.
The government confirmed no schedule changes to accommodate Trump. Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said dates were agreed with the Palace, dismissing claims of deliberate avoidance.
Starmer will meet Trump privately in Scotland, where the former president owns a golf resort. The visit’s ceremonial events, including a state banquet, will proceed as planned at Windsor Castle.
State visits require monarch approval but follow government advice. Though the Lords will sit during Trump’s UK visit, joint addresses need both Houses in session. Ultimately, the Speakers decide—but the government holds sway.
With Buckingham Palace under renovation, Windsor will host Trump. Yet the real drama lies in Westminster, where political tensions over Trump’s UK visit continue to divide opinions. Will MPs reconsider? Or is this a deliberate snub? The debate rages on.
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