At the time of writing, the petition to refuse Donald Trump a state visit is at 1.78 million signatures. That’s 17 times over what is required for a petition to be debated in parliament. Despite this large virtual outrage, the UK government has come out firmly against the petition. “The United States is a close ally of the United Kingdom,” Theresa May said at a press conference with the Irish Taoiseach. “We work together across many areas of mutual interest and we have that special relationship between us,” she said. “I have issued that invitation for a state visit for President Trump to the United Kingdom and that invitation stands.”
Despite the fact that Parliament will now debate the state visit on the 20 February, her comments are no huge surprise. May has expressed no intention of rocking the Trump boat.
- The visit is cancelled – an unprecedented move
- The visit goes ahead with much outrage and protest
- The visit is delayed until a less politically sensitive time
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