Sam Francis
Political reporter
EPA
Nigel Farage has said it is “shoddy” that Donald Trump will not have the chance to address Parliament during his unprecedented second state visit.
It comes after it was announced the US president will begin a three-day trip on 17 September, a day after the House of Commons breaks for the traditional party conference season.
The Reform UK leader said the “cowardly” timing of the trip showed the Labour government’s “real priority” was to favour relations with Europe.
Downing Street denied the trip had deliberately been scheduled for the recess, saying questions on timing were for Buckingham Palace.
State visits, however, are traditionally organised in conjunction with government.
Last week France’s President Emmanuel Macron gave an address to both Houses of Parliament during his three-day state visit to the UK.
However, such speeches are not automatic. Only around one in four state visits since 1952 have included a formal address to Parliament.
Since World War Two, three US presidents have addressed Parliament: Ronald Reagan in 1982, Bill Clinton in 1995 and Barack Obama in 2011.
Following Trump’s first election win in 2017, then-Commons Speaker John Bercow said he would be “strongly opposed” to the US president making an address.
In 2019, more than 100 MPs signed a parliamentary motion accusing Trump of “misogynism, racism and xenophobia” and urging the then-Conservative government not to invite him on a state visit.
The motion was proposed by Stephen Doughty, who is now a Foreign Office minister, and was signed by current Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
When he did make his state visit in 2019, Trump did not address Parliament.
In April of this year, Labour MP Kate Osborne reportedly wrote to Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle asking him to stop Trump from addressing Parliament.
A parliamentary motion urging the same thing had also been signed by some MPs, mostly from Labour and including some Greens.
Recall demand
Speaking to the BBC, Farage, a prominent British supporter of the US president, acknowledged it would be controversial for Trump to address MPs and peers, as “anything to do with Donald Trump results in a row”.
But he said Trump was “more pro-British” than Macron, and the UK’s alliance with the United States was key to trade and the Nato military alliance.
Drawing a contrast with the “full ceremonial visit” offered to President Macron, he added: “This just tells you what this government’s real priorities are.
“It’s European Union above everything else, including America – who of course are not only our most important ally, but without whom we are defenceless. So I think the whole thing is shoddy”.
In a social media post, he said: “Parliament should be recalled and Trump must be given the opportunity to address both Houses.”
The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to address Parliament just before Trump’s state visit.
Leader Sir Ed Davey said the move would “send an important signal that Britain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Canada against Trump’s chaotic trade war”.
The government is not planning to change the parliamentary schedule to allow Trump to speak to MPs and peers.
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson told reporters: “Questions on the timings and dates are for the Palace. They’ve obviously agreed dates with the President”.
“I would firmly steer you away from the idea the timings of a visit are anything to do with Parliament recess dates,” he added.
Meanwhile, Downing Street has confirmed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet Trump when the US president visits his golf resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire later this month.
No 10 said Sir Keir had accepted an invitation to meet during the “private” trip to Scotland.
State visits
Invitations for state visits are formally issued by the monarch, but on the advice of government – normally organised through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Dates are set jointly by the government, the Palace and visiting dignitaries.
The House of Lords will still be sitting during Trump’s visit, but under long-standing parliamentary rules, a joint address to both houses can only take place when both are in session.
The final decision rests with the Speakers of the Commons and Lords, though in reality any speeches are agreed with the government of the day.
The Royal Family confirmed that Trump’s visit will be based at Windsor Castle, with Buckingham Palace unavailable due to ongoing refurbishment.
The ceremonial elements of the visit, including a state banquet and Guard of Honour, are expected to go ahead as planned.