Campaigners Push to Block Trump from Addressing UK Parliament

Campaigners are vehemently calling for Donald Trump to be prohibited from addressing the UK Parliament during his upcoming state visit. They accuse the former US President of consistently disregarding democratic values and are urging Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to prevent any such address. A petition on Change.org, titled "Stop Donald Trump addressing UK Parliament," has garnered significant support, with the number of signatures steadily increasing.

The petition, initiated by Corin Dalby, argues that inviting Donald Trump to speak in Parliament would be inappropriate. It highlights his alleged disregard for democratic values, troubling remarks about the UK and its institutions, and his perceived inability to clearly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Trump is scheduled to return to the UK later this year for a state visit, following an invitation extended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a meeting in Washington last autumn.

Campaigners maintain that while official discussions are unavoidable, Parliament should not provide a platform to a figure they accuse of undermining democratic norms and disregarding the rule of law. The petition references the precedent set by former Speaker John Bercow, who refused to allow Mr. Trump to speak in the House of Commons during his 2019 visit, and urges Sir Lindsay Hoyle to adopt a similar position. The petition quotes Labour MP Kate Osborne, who supports the call for the Speaker to refuse such an address, arguing that allowing Mr. Trump to speak would contradict the UK’s core democratic principles.

The petition also includes a statement from Labour peer Lord Foulkes, who asserts that while the government is obligated to engage with all governments, Parliament should not welcome a leader who is anti-democratic and disregards the courts and the rule of law. The organizers emphasize that the values of British democracy are not negotiable. Although no formal request for Mr. Trump to address MPs has been confirmed, any such proposal would require approval from both the Speaker of the Commons and the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords.

Mr. Trump previously visited the UK as President in 2018 and 2019, meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II and attending a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. His presidency was marked by criticism of NATO allies, clashes with British leaders over Brexit, and ongoing legal troubles that continue to divide opinion. There has been no response from the Speaker’s Office or clarification from Parliament regarding a potential invitation to address MPs. However, campaigners are actively advocating their position in advance. One signatory stated that they are not anti-American but rather anti-authoritarian, and that Trump should not be allowed to speak in Parliament.