President Donald Trump will not be allowed to address the U.K. Parliament during his eventual state visit, The Independent reports. "An address by a foreign leader to both houses of Parliament is not an automatic right," said Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, a former Conservative Party member. "It is an earned honor."
Bercow went on: "We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the speaker. However, as far as this place is concerned I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons … I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery." Parts of the Commons erupted into "rare" applause at Bercow's declaration, The Independent notes.
Some British politicians, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, have demanded Trump's invitation to visit the U.K. be canceled altogether until he revokes his ban on refugees and travelers from seven predominately Muslim nations. More than one million U.K. citizens have signed a petition demanding Trump's state visit — expected later this year — be canceled. Jeva Lange
The Week
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