An online petition banning Donald Trump from making a state visit to the UK has reached the one million marker.
NEW: #Trump petition hits a million pic.twitter.com/ayVtcgrfR2
— Darren McCaffrey (@DMcCaffreySKY) January 30, 2017
The petition on the government website says: “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.”However, it doesn’t look like this is going to make much difference. Downing Street said its position had not changed as a spokesman stated: “An invitation has been extended and accepted.”
Downing Street source dismisses petition as 'a populist gesture' #dogeatdog
— Clever Hedge (@cleverhedge) January 30, 2017
Trump has accepted an invitation to visit Britain later this year, where he is due to be hosted by the Queen and would be treated to all the pomp and ceremony accorded to a state visit.Baroness Warsi, who was the first female Muslim cabinet minister, said Trump should not be given the honour of a state visit.“We have to question whether, in Britain, this is something that Britain should be doing for a man who has no respect for women, disdain for minorities, little value for LGBT communities, no compassion for the vulnerable and whose policies are rooted in divisive rhetoric,” she said.The Trump petition is the second most supported since the online system was set up, with one calling for a second referendum on EU membership getting the backing of 4,150,260 people.Other politicians have been speaking in favour of the petition.
.@realDonaldTrump should not be welcomed to Britain while he abuses our shared values with shameful #MuslimBan & attacks on refugees & women
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) January 29, 2017
Over 1 million people have signed. @theresa_may we will not back down, cancel state visit and condemn the #Muslimban https://t.co/ySphksOliV
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) January 30, 2017
So the government roll out the red carpet for this nasty misogynist all because they are desperate for a #Brexit trade deal. https://t.co/4Hw5Z6mxgo
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) January 30, 2017
As the son of immigrants, when Trump comes to my home town I won't be listening to him – I'll be outside protesting. https://t.co/ZdCFwrged4
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) January 29, 2017
We should not be honouring President Trump with a State visit and he certainly should not be invited to address both Houses of Parliament.
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) January 30, 2017
There does seem to be an overwhelming feeling of support for the petition (which is perhaps unsurprising considering it’s smashed the one million mark).
Why an earth are we inviting a lunatic extremist to visit the UK?
Sign the online petition against Trump visit before you go to bed. pic.twitter.com/XZ8n4ZcUAL— Denis Skinner (@BolsoverBeast) January 29, 2017
Now let's make it 2 million #DumpTrump https://t.co/wh0aYvqksD
— anya (@anyabike) January 30, 2017
Traditionally, once a petition reaches 100,000 signatures, Parliament will consider it for debate – MPs will vote tomorrow on whether they will hold this debate. However, Downing Street seems pretty set on the state visit.