UK Parliament Rejects Trump’s Invitation to Address Congress During Upcoming Visit

A growing number of MPs and peers have expressed concerns over the possibility of US President Donald Trump addressing parliament during his upcoming visit to the UK. The opposition is largely driven by Trump‘s comments on various international issues, including the ‘UK, NATO, and Ukraine’.

The concerns surrounding Trump‘s address are multifaceted. Many parliamentarians are troubled by his comments on the UK, parliamentary democracy, and the Nato alliance, which they view as inappropriate for a head of state. Furthermore, Trump‘s failure to condemn the ‘Russian invasion of Ukraine’ has sparked criticism from many in the UK parliament.

Traditionally, second-term US presidents who have made a state visit to the UK follow a specific protocol. They typically engage in tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama. However, it appears that Trump‘s planned visit may deviate from this precedent.

Efforts to prevent Trump from addressing parliament are being coordinated by Lord Foulkes, a minister in Sir Tony Blair‘s former government. Foulkes has stated that parliament should not welcome a leader who is anti-democratic and flouts the courts and the rule of law. He also believes that Trump‘s failure to condemn the ‘Russian invasion of Ukraine’ makes it inappropriate for him to address parliament.

Labour MP Kate Osborne has reportedly asked the Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor John Bercow and oppose an address from Trump. While Osborne has not commented on the matter, her request highlights the growing opposition to Trump‘s planned visit.