The Independent news (U.K.)
reported Donald Trump would not be invited to address Parliament on his state visit
to the U.K. planned for some time this year.
John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons, said he was “strongly opposed”
to an invitation.
Bercow’s reasons: ‘. . . the Commons' opposition to ‘racism and to sexism and
our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary’
He said, ‘Before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been
strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in [the House of Common’s] Westminster
Hall.’
‘After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more
strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.’
The Independent says, ‘the intervention will cause headaches in Downing Street,
where Theresa May has bent over backwards to rekindle the so-called special
relationship with the US.’
Bercow said, ‘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 to sexism and our support for equality before the law
and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House
of Commons.’
And, Bercow said, ‘I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump
to speak in the Royal Gallery’ in the House of Lords.
