Speaker says Donald Trump Should Not be Allowed to Speak in Westminster Hall
Share:
John Bercow, Speaker at the House of Commons, has stated Donald Trump should not be afforded the “earned honour,” of speaking at the Westminster Hall because of the commons’ opposition to “sexism and racism.” He has said he is one of three people who would have to approve an invitation to Trump to speak in Westminster Hall and that he would be against it, especially since the migrant ban, but would have been against it before that regardless.
The statement comes after Prime Minister Theresa May’s defence of her actions during her state visit to the US last week, which saw her on the charm offensive in order to “build on the relationship that we have with our most important ally, and to get some very significant commitments from President Trump.” She has made her position clear on wanting to preserve the friendship of Britain and the US, especially since Brexit and the emphasis Trump has put on trade deals.
There has already been some backlash as a result of the statement, which was met with cheers from MPs. After Bercow had finished speaking, Labour MP Dennis Skinner applauded the speaker, saying “well done.” However there has also been an angry response from some areas of the government, and the action has been denounced as “hugely political and out of line,” since the speaker is supposed to remain strictly non-partisan.