MPs will next month debate whether US President Donald Trump should make a state visit to Britain – after more than 1.6 million people signed a petition calling for the trip to be downgraded gained the support.
The Westminster Hall debate, which is taking place on February 20, will also consider a rival petition in support of Trump’s state visit, which has more than 114,000 signatures.
Gov petitions have now entered the twilight zone. MPs must now debate both the motions "Trump *should* and *shouldn't* have a state visit"
— Tim (@sqlblues) January 31, 2017
Veteran Labour left-winger Paul Flynn, a member of the Petitions Committee, will open the debate.The announcement comes amid widespread outrage at Trump’s temporary immigration ban on nationals from seven mainly Muslim countries.Those opposing the visit see this as good news:
Trump #petition signed by more than 1 million people will be debated in the Commons on Feb 20th. Great news #StandUpToTrump #Trump #TrumpBan
— Ross Armour (@RossArmour346) January 31, 2017
Almost two million people have signed a petition to stop trumps state visit. Doesn't that say everything.
— k… (@KayCL23) January 31, 2017
DAMN STRAIGHT yo MPs will debate the petition RE: Trump's state visit. you can't pick and choose when "the will of the people" works
— katy?? (@KatyGilroyBlog) January 31, 2017
The petition states: “Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US Government, but he should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen.”Meanwhile, the rival petition in support of Trump’s visit says: “Donald Trump should be invited to make an official State Visit because he is the leader of a free world and the UK is a country that supports free speech and does not believe that people that appose (sic) our point of view should be gagged.”And those in favour of the visit, took to Twitter to express their views:
President Trump's visit to the UK isn't for the benefit of him but for the benefit of the UK-US relations, why can't the left see this?
— Jamie Morice-Jones (@JamieRMJ) January 30, 2017
I don't agree with most things Trump says or does but this state visit is quite important for the UK while he is US president.
— Daotive_Daniel (@Daniel_A_Flow) January 30, 2017
should Donald trump be allowed on state visit to uk. I think damn right he should be able. what about you!!!
— Paul cunningham (@Paulcun67725544) January 30, 2017
If nothing else, Trump's state visit is important in view of the imminent triggering of article 50 and subsequent negotiations with the EU.
— Pete Maskell (@peglyn58) January 31, 2017
Although many are convinced the petition to downgrade his visit won’t be upheld:
I don't agree with the policies or like in any way Donald Trump, but a petition isn't going to stop a state visit from ???? biggest ally
— nay (@nay_woods) January 29, 2017
When it's about #Brexit #TheresaMay says she listens to the people.When it's about #Trump she'll say it's a state visit good for trade deals
— Santi Pokar (@spokar) January 30, 2017
The petition won't stop Trump's state visit. We should accept that. It's inevitable. What's important is our actions. We should riot.
— Sean (@Sean_S14) January 30, 2017