MPs and peers have launched a campaign to block former US President Donald Trump from addressing Parliament during his upcoming state visit to the UK in September 2025.The effort mirrors a similar block during Trump’s first state visit when then-Speaker John Bercow prevented him from speaking to both Houses.Critics claim it would be “inappropriate” for the US President to receive this honour.Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a minister in Tony Blair’s government who later served on parliament’s intelligence and security committee, has coordinated the effort.He sent a message to Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker, stating it would be “inappropriate” for Trump to speak in the Palace of Westminster.MPs are also privately lobbying Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, to support the block.The message cited concerns about Potus’s “attitude towards and comments about the UK, parliamentary democracy, the Nato Alliance and Ukraine” as reasons for the block.Lord Foulkes told Times Radio: “He is not a respecter of democracy, he does not respect the rule of law and we feel it would be inappropriate for him to address parliament.”He also accused Trump of being an “apologist for Putin” over his stance on Ukraine.Labour MP Kate Osborne has written to Sir Lindsay Hoyle asking him to “mirror the previous Speaker’s recommendation” to block Trump.In her letter, seen by The Times, she argued: “It is up to our government to decide if they use the state visit to engage with Trump… but that does not translate to giving him the honour of addressing parliament.”She also warned about “the risk of low attendance” having “negative or unintended consequences.”LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: EXPOSED: Bombshell document shows Starmer is about to torpedo US trade deal by ‘cosying up’ to EUAs Keir Starmer faces ‘make-or-break choice between Trump and EU’… Some believe Britain’s future may lie elsewhere entirelyEmmanuel Macron ‘to beat Donald Trump in state visit to UK’ as Keir Starmer ‘pursues closer ties’ with EuropeAnother Labour MP said: “Parliament has nothing to learn from a serial liar, cheat, womaniser and bankrupt. We don’t need Trump to lecture and dictate his unilateral terms to our elected representatives.Trump recently confirmed his September visit, telling reporters in the Oval Office that “the King and the great country” had invited him for a “second fest” which will be “beautiful”.This would mark his second state visit to the UK, following a personal invitation from King Charles, whom Trump called his “friend”.Barack Obama addressed both houses of parliament in Westminster Hall during his state visit in 2011, standing at a lectern in front of a red carpet.In 2023, President Zelensky of Ukraine also gave a speech in Westminster Hall about the Russian invasion.There have been 80 addresses to members of both Houses of Parliament since 1935, mostly by foreign leaders.Sir Keir Starmer invited Trump to Britain in February as part of a charm offensive designed to strengthen relations and secure a trade deal with the US.Government sources said the UK was pressing to get a deal as soon as possible, and was “desperate” to do so before May 19.This date has been pencilled in for Starmer’s “EU reset”, when he will host Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.Some 75 Labour MPs previously backed a campaign to block Trump from addressing Parliament during his first term in 2019.An early day motion that year was signed by several current ministers, including Wes Streeting, the health secretary, and Lucy Powell, leader of the Commons.Lord Foulkes predicted there would be a “huge boycott” by MPs and peers if Trump was allowed to address them.The three “keyholders” of Westminster Hall, where foreign leaders usually address Parliament, are the Commons Speaker, the Lord Speaker and the Lord Great Chamberlain, represented by Black Rod.All three must agree for a visit to take place, after a request is made by the Government.Senior sources confirmed in February that both the Lord Speaker and Commons Speaker would welcome a visit.
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