Several British MPs and members of the House of Lords are pushing back against plans for Donald Trump to deliver an address to Parliament during his anticipated UK trip. The US president has indicated that a September visit is being arranged with Buckingham Palace, but some legislators contend that granting him a speaking platform in Westminster an honor extended to past leaders like Obama, Reagan, and Clinton would be unsuitable.
A communication directed to Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, highlighted objections based on Trump’s previous remarks regarding Britain, democratic institutions, NATO, and the conflict in Ukraine. The note read: “Should there be any proposal to invite him to speak before Parliament, we urge you and Speaker Hoyle to deem this inappropriate given his record of dismissive statements toward the UK, its democratic processes, and key alliances.”
Leading the opposition is Lord Foulkes, a former Labour minister, who stated: “While diplomatic engagements with foreign leaders are necessary, Parliament must not endorse a figure who undermines democratic norms, disregards judicial rulings, and refuses to denounce Russia’s aggression in Ukraine a stance unanimously upheld by UK lawmakers.”
Meanwhile, Labour MP Kate Osborne has pressed Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to align with his predecessor John Bercow, who previously rejected the idea of hosting Trump. In her appeal, Osborne emphasized: “I request your agreement that such an invitation would be improper, consistent with the prior Speaker’s position.”
Historically, US presidents returning for a second-term visit are received by the monarch at Windsor Castle for a private meeting, as seen with George W. Bush and Obama, rather than addressing Parliament.
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