Donald Trump

Our close relationship with the United States has always been important, and that will continue to be true regardless of any differences we may have with individual presidents, including President Trump. However, state visits, which require an invitation, have historically taken place after a considerably longer period following a president's inauguration than the one currently proposed for President Trump.

I am opposed to a state visit in these circumstances. Almost two million people have signed a petition to this effect, which was debated in Parliament on 20th February 2017, and I have written to the Prime Minister outlining my opposition. The Foreign Secretary responded to my letter, stating that President Trump’s policies relate only to the United States of America. The Foreign Secretary indicated therefore that this would not be an adequate reason to stop President Trump making a state visit to the UK.

If the state visit does go ahead, I remain strongly opposed to giving President Trump the honour of addressing Parliament and I am pleased that the Speaker of the House of Commons has also expressed this sentiment. In order to prevent President Trump from making an address in the Palace of Westminster, I have sought permission to sign Early Day Motion 890. If President Trump was permitted to address Parliament, I would boycott the speech.

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