I was very proud of our parliament today and of the Speaker, John Bercow. He announced in the most forthright way imaginable that President Trump will not be welcome to address parliament during his state visit. I was astonished, and over-the-moon, to hear the Speaker say explicitly that this was because of the president’s views on women and race.
The reason British people care so much about this is because we love America and the values its founding fathers enshrined into their constitution. We fought side by side and at key moments in time and have been there to create the global institutions, like the UN, that have liberated millions of people from poverty and despotism.
We can respect American people without bending our knee to a person who has distain for many of the values we hold so close to our hearts.
Its right that we welcome Donald Trump to our country to hold talks about how our country’s can work together, but in my view it was wrong to offer a full state visit. It now seems that Theresa May was in such a blind panic to be the first foreign leader to meet him that she offered things she had no right to.
To us the sight of her being led by the hand by Trump was offensive. Now after the Speaker’s words today she will look ridiculous to the American administration too.
This all has a deeply serious point to it. I have argued all along that we are rushing headlong into Brexit and this is further evidence that Theresa May and her ministers are not thinking, considering, and acting strategically. They are panicking, clutching at straws, and amidst this I want you to know that I will always put our community first and stand up for everything that’s wonderful about where we live.
I hope you enjoy the speaker’s shockingly frank words. I was proudly in the chamber when he delivered them and burst into applause when I realised what a bold and brave thing it was he was doing. I’m now touching back to the chamber as we are debating amendments to the Brexit bill until 1am tonight and I don’t want to miss out! All the best, Peter
You can see the Speakers speech Here.