Thread: Speaker Bercow: Trump should not speak in Parliament

Speaker Bercow: Trump should not speak in Parliament

20 minutes ago

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has said he would be "strongly opposed" to US President Donald Trump addressing the Houses of Parliament during his state visit to the UK.

Mr Bercow told MPs "opposition to racism and sexism" were "hugely important considerations".

He was applauded by SNP MPs after his comments.

President Trump was invited to make a state visit after meeting Theresa May in Washington last month.

A petition to withdraw the invitation will be debated by MPs on 20 February after attracting 1.8m signatures.

Responding to a point of order in the House of Commons, Mr Bercow set out his opposition to a Parliamentary address as part of the state visit.

He told MPs addressing the Lords and the Commons was "an earned honour" not an "automatic right".
'Pay grade'

He said he was one of three "key-holders" for Westminster Hall, and referred to the US president's controversial travel ban.

"Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall," he said.

"After the imposition of the migrant ban I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall."

The Speaker said he would also be involved in any invitation to address Parliament's Royal Gallery.

He added: "I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery.

"We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the Speaker.

"However, as far as this place is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-38884604

Hello UK!! How are all our best friends over there in the United Kingdom? I hope doing well. But here's the new deal with you all.

1. Our President was elected to fix our country, not yours.

2. His time is extremely valuable and must be dedicated to the needs and best interests of the USA.

3. As much as your USA friends here were looking forward to the visuals and grandeur of a State Visit when your Prime Minister extended the invitation on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, the reaction in your country has been negative, this is a "turn-off" for The Americans and our money and time would be better spent focusing on fixing our country.

4. Many Americans believe it is inappropriate for foreign leaders to address the legislatures of other countries, I am one of these, and oppose our President addressing your Parliament the same as I oppose the Pope and Netanyahu or any other foreign leader addressing our Congress.

Our nation is on the brink, we have 94 million Americans out of the work force and we're $20 trillion in debt with nothing at all to show for it but death, poverty, overpopulation and destruction.

We appreciate your sensitivities and devotions to petitions and insults, but truly, we don't have the time nor the resources to deal with them. You seem uncertain as to who your real friends are. So when you all have had enough sober time to reflect on this, let US know. We're not going anywhere, we'll still be here, as always.

Cheerio!!