State visits, whilst a grand occasion, are more an opportunity for the government of the day to further what it views as Britain’s national interest. However, this week’s state visit was more than just a political opportunity, it was a time to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing and remember all those who fought and lost their lives in this conflict.
Naturally with the arrival of such a divisive leader protests occurred across London, some for good reason. During his time in power Donald Trump:
- Has Withdrawn American support from the Paris climate agreement,
- His administration has revoked key components of the 2014 Obama administration’s workplace protections for LGBT people,
- Withdrew a motion that sought to allow “transgender students in public schools to use the restroom with which they identify”; and,
- Branded and polarised many to believe that Mexicans are ‘drug dealers, criminals and rapists’.
Those who wish to protest President Trump’s visit have every right to do so. But is it right that the leader of the opposition attends such an event opposing the presence of our greatest ally?
Donald Trump is a man I wholeheartedly disagree with on almost every policy, nevertheless, he is right to come to the U.K. to highlight the ‘special relationship’ exercised by countless Prime Ministers and Presidents throughout the 20th and 21st century. If we are to take the path that the leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn is preaching, it is likely that the UK would not have any stake to push their national interests, especially after we leave the European Union, to the biggest global power. It is clear that Corbyn, someone who I assume one day hopes to be Prime Minister, can only lead a protest and not a party let alone a government. Trump even denied Corbyn a meeting describing him as “a negative force”.
For those arguing that Corbyn has stood against a leader who attacks human rights and is a reckless authoritarian, let us just quickly take a look at Jeremy’s track record. Of course we should question a leader of the largest global power and a shining beacon of liberal democracy whose policies target the LGBTQ+ community and threatens the future of the planet’s climate.
However, when this same reception is not met when other global leaders arrive in Britain, be prepared to face some rightful scrutiny. In 2015 with the state visit of China’s leader Xi Jinping, Jeremy Corbyn spawned his best white tie for the Chinese dictator but refused to attend the state banquet of the democratically elected President of the United States. He welcomed a leader who has an atrocious record on human rights and the government persecutes predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities, with an estimated one million or more individuals subjected to extra-legal detention in “political re-education” centres (Freedom House).
Corbyn is a populist. Whilst I do not doubt that Corbyn is against such violence and discrimination towards the LGBT community, despite his abstaining of the vote for the harrowing Section 28 law, he took this as a political opportunity to appeal to those, like myself, who do not like Donald Trump. Unfortunately for Corbyn his attempts further revealed that there is an inconsistency to his protesting divisive leaders.
We were right to host a state visit for the President of America. Not only is this a fantastic relationship held between two global powers, but it is also a chance to sit down with our American partners and encourage them to follow what we believe to be right. Theresa May even acknowledged that during her one on one talks with the President they covered many areas of difference, including climate change. A hostile reception to the President would have inhibited our ability to address these issues so directly, evidenced by President Trumps refusal to meet with Corbyn.
Therefore, whilst I follow almost all arguments against the American President, I can see beyond my distaste to his premiership to understand that the US-UK relationship is one of great importance for it highlights peace and prosperity between nations. Our American partnership is one of great historical importance and in the next few months as we leave the European Union it is crucial we maintain a strong relationship if we are to be ‘at the front of the queue’ for post-Brexit trade.
As one man on BBC’s Question Time said: “I think protest is all well and good. It’s part of the democracy in which we live. But I think Jeremy Corbyn should have met Trump and he should have protested face-to-face with the man rather than on the street. That would have made a much more credible Leader of the Opposition.”
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Ellie Varley is a freelance writer and a graduate of politics having just completed her final year at university. Twitter: @ellievarley13
You criticise Corbyn with a quote that “…Corbyn should have met Trump and protested face to face…” after observing that Trump refused to meet with Corbyn.
The current US administration consists of the most hawkish of hawks, Trump, Pompeo, Bolton, Abrams; to suggest that meeting with Trump could encourage them to follow what we believe to be right, begs the questions 1) how likely is that? and 2) what do we believe to be right?” Or, specifically, Ms Varley, what do you believe we (our Tory Government ?!) believe to be right? Are you just naive or do you not see what many of us now see: that the USA is at the forefront of global new-liberalism/corporate capitalism, that seeks to dominate nations worldwide, through economic and military means, and will do whatever it takes to achieve that. We are, and always will be, a pawn in its game if we kid ourselves that our alliance promotes peace and prosperity between nations. Google “USA record of peace” and you’ll find no result, but it will bring up “List of wars involving the United States”. The list is very long. The U.K. is also to be similarly condemned; is it possible that we wouldn’t so often be on the war-path if we stepped back from our “special relationship” with USA? At least until it’s own citizens encourage their government to follow “what we believe to be right”? I believe that Corbyn is one of very few politicians who would lead us on a peaceful path if given the chance. There’s not much profit in peace though, so I doubt he’ll get that opportunity unless the many can shout louder than the few – without the MSM on our side, it’s an uphill struggle.
PS. Jeremy Corbyn ‘sported’ his best white tie… not ‘spawned’