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Shoddy that Donald Trump can't address MPs, says Nigel Farage | Shoddy that Donald Trump can't address MPs, says Nigel Farage |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nigel Farage has said it is "shoddy" that Donald Trump will not have the chance to address Parliament during his unprecedented second state visit. | Nigel Farage has said it is "shoddy" that Donald Trump will not have the chance to address Parliament during his unprecedented second state visit. |
It comes after it was announced the US president will begin a three-day trip on 17 September, a day after the House of Commons breaks for the traditional party conference season. | It comes after it was announced the US president will begin a three-day trip on 17 September, a day after the House of Commons breaks for the traditional party conference season. |
The Reform UK leader said the "cowardly" timing of the trip showed the Labour government's "real priority" was to favour relations with Europe. | The Reform UK leader said the "cowardly" timing of the trip showed the Labour government's "real priority" was to favour relations with Europe. |
Downing Street denied the trip had deliberately been scheduled for the recess, saying questions on timing were for Buckingham Palace. | Downing Street denied the trip had deliberately been scheduled for the recess, saying questions on timing were for Buckingham Palace. |
State visits, however, are traditionally organised in conjunction with government. | State visits, however, are traditionally organised in conjunction with government. |
Last week France's President Emmanuel Macron gave an address to both Houses of Parliament during his three-day state visit to the UK. | Last week France's President Emmanuel Macron gave an address to both Houses of Parliament during his three-day state visit to the UK. |
However, such speeches are not automatic. Only around one in four state visits since 1952 have included a formal address to Parliament. | |
Since World War Two, three US presidents have addressed Parliament: Ronald Reagan in 1982, Bill Clinton in 1995 and Barack Obama in 2011. | |
Following Trump's first election win in 2017, then-Commons Speaker John Bercow said he would be "strongly opposed" to the US president making an address. | |
In 2019, more than 100 MPs signed a parliamentary motion accusing Trump of "misogynism, racism and xenophobia" and urging the then-Conservative government not to invite him on a state visit. | |
The motion was proposed by Stephen Doughty, who is now a Foreign Office minister, and was signed by current Foreign Secretary David Lammy. | |
When he did make his state visit in 2019, Trump did not address Parliament. | |
In April of this year, Labour MP Kate Osborne reportedly wrote to Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle asking him to stop Trump from addressing Parliament. | |
A parliamentary motion urging the same thing had also been signed by some MPs, mostly from Labour and including some Greens. | A parliamentary motion urging the same thing had also been signed by some MPs, mostly from Labour and including some Greens. |
Recall demand | |
Speaking to the BBC, Farage, a prominent British supporter of the US president, acknowledged it would be controversial for Trump to address MPs and peers, as "anything to do with Donald Trump results in a row". | Speaking to the BBC, Farage, a prominent British supporter of the US president, acknowledged it would be controversial for Trump to address MPs and peers, as "anything to do with Donald Trump results in a row". |
But he said Trump was "more pro-British" than Macron, and the UK's alliance with the United States was key to trade and the Nato military alliance. | But he said Trump was "more pro-British" than Macron, and the UK's alliance with the United States was key to trade and the Nato military alliance. |
Drawing a contrast with the "full ceremonial visit" offered to President Macron, he added: "This just tells you what this government's real priorities are. | Drawing a contrast with the "full ceremonial visit" offered to President Macron, he added: "This just tells you what this government's real priorities are. |
"It's European Union above everything else, including America - who of course are not only our most important ally, but without whom we are defenceless. So I think the whole thing is shoddy". | "It's European Union above everything else, including America - who of course are not only our most important ally, but without whom we are defenceless. So I think the whole thing is shoddy". |
In a social media post, he said: "Parliament should be recalled and Trump must be given the opportunity to address both Houses." | |
The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to address Parliament just before Trump's state visit. | |
Leader Sir Ed Davey said the move would "send an important signal that Britain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Canada against Trump's chaotic trade war". | |
The government is not planning to change the parliamentary schedule to allow Trump to speak to MPs and peers. | The government is not planning to change the parliamentary schedule to allow Trump to speak to MPs and peers. |
Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson told reporters: "Questions on the timings and dates are for the Palace. They've obviously agreed dates with the President". | Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson told reporters: "Questions on the timings and dates are for the Palace. They've obviously agreed dates with the President". |
"I would firmly steer you away from the idea the timings of a visit are anything to do with Parliament recess dates," he added. | "I would firmly steer you away from the idea the timings of a visit are anything to do with Parliament recess dates," he added. |
Meanwhile, Downing Street has confirmed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet Trump when the US president visits his golf resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire later this month. | Meanwhile, Downing Street has confirmed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet Trump when the US president visits his golf resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire later this month. |
No 10 said Sir Keir had accepted an invitation to meet during the "private" trip to Scotland. | |
State visits | State visits |
Invitations for state visits are formally issued by the monarch, but on the advice of government - normally organised through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). | Invitations for state visits are formally issued by the monarch, but on the advice of government - normally organised through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). |
Dates are set jointly by the government, the Palace and visiting dignitaries. | Dates are set jointly by the government, the Palace and visiting dignitaries. |
The House of Lords will still be sitting during Trump's visit, but under long-standing parliamentary rules, a joint address to both houses can only take place when both are in session. | The House of Lords will still be sitting during Trump's visit, but under long-standing parliamentary rules, a joint address to both houses can only take place when both are in session. |
The final decision rests with the Speakers of the Commons and Lords, though in reality any speeches are agreed with the government of the day. | The final decision rests with the Speakers of the Commons and Lords, though in reality any speeches are agreed with the government of the day. |
The Royal Family confirmed that Trump's visit will be based at Windsor Castle, with Buckingham Palace unavailable due to ongoing refurbishment. | The Royal Family confirmed that Trump's visit will be based at Windsor Castle, with Buckingham Palace unavailable due to ongoing refurbishment. |
The ceremonial elements of the visit, including a state banquet and Guard of Honour, are expected to go ahead as planned. | The ceremonial elements of the visit, including a state banquet and Guard of Honour, are expected to go ahead as planned. |
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