https://www.theguardian.com/politic...wed-to-speak-in-westminster-hall-says-speaker Donald Trump would not be welcome to address parliament during his state visit, the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, has said in an unprecedented intervention that drew applause and cheers from MPs. Bercow, whose role is non-political, said he could not block a state visit by the US president but would use his role as one of the three “key-holders” of Westminster Hall to prevent the Republican from addressing MPs and peers. (...) I'm supposing the speaker is elected by the members in a free vote, as I believe is the case in Canada. The Tories may have a majority (not a very big one), but somehow I doubt they'd risk rocking the boat here. (hee-hee)
Hmmm. Considering Britain's current status, they probably shouldn't actively work to alienate a massive export market like the USA. Poor decision. Should have probably kept that to himself. It's not even a given that an American president will speak to Parliament. Obama did it, Clinton and Reagan did it annnnd that's it as far as I know.
Just been reading up on Bercow on wikipedia: (...) Prior to his election to Speaker, he was a member of the Conservative Party. A former hardline right-winger who moderated his views after becoming an MP and at one time was rumoured to be likely to defect to the Labour Party, Bercow's election to the Speaker's chair depended heavily on the backing of other parties, and was deeply unpopular with many of his former colleagues. (...) Sounds like just the sort-of-between-two-parties guy who is usually acceptable in the role of speaker. He's the member for Buckingham, and was re-elected while holding the position of speaker. I was curious about his name: (...) Bercow was born to an English Jewish family in Edgware, London.[5] His paternal grandparents were Jews from Romania who arrived in England a century ago.[6][7] The son of a taxi driver, Bercow attended Frith Manor Primary School in Woodside Park, and Finchley Manorhill, a large comprehensive school in North Finchley. In his youth, Bercow had been ranked Britain's No.1 junior tennis player, but a bout of glandular fever ended his chances of pursuing a professional career in the sport. (...) Interesting fella.
JFK addressed the Canadian House of Commons and quipped that he owed it to Canada that he was in the White House. This was a reference to the US's failed invasion of Canada in 1812 after which the Brits torched Washington, burning the Presidential Mansion in the process. The structure that replaced it was, of course, the White House.
Bercow delights in annoying the Tories, and is something of an attention seeker, so Trump's election must have seemed like manna to him. His election as Speaker was like something out of The Thick of It too, from what I recall, the Tories knew he'd become something of a Labour shill. He does a good job most of the time though. As for stopping Trump speaking - why? Let him, let the odious buffoon flap his lips, and let us laugh at him. Let Parliament give him no doubt as to what contempt they hold him in.
Yes, perhaps he could have sought to obtain a piece of paper from Mister Trump, proclaiming trade in our time?
Calling a twat a twat isn't posturing, it's pointing out the truth. You can decide for yourself if I was calling you a twat, or Trump. Ah, hell, it's both of ya.
Two serious answers come to mind: 1) It's supposed to be considered an honour. 2) It would have be Bercow who repeatedly cries "Order!" while the assembled audience splits its sides. I mean, if I were an MP and Trump were speaking, I'd be torn on whether to boycott it or come and laugh out loud. I think I'd do the latter. Maybe bring a football rattle along.
I am glad May is much more level headed and intelligent than you. The fact is the UK is going to need the US to help back them up and pressure the EU during the Brexit negotiations to curb the worst instincts of the butt hurt Eurocrats. Better to keep your eye on long term goals and not needlessly insult people you will later want in your corner, you dip shit.
Right... If we want to avoid European disdain during the proceedings, we should bring Trump in as our wildcard. This would be like countering Thanos with Howard the Duck.
Who said anything about distain, my extremely emotional tremper tantrum throwing friend? I am talking real politik here as in if you threaten our economies here than we are going to retaliate by heavily damaging your economy with X, Y, and Z. You keep doing that until even the most arrogant, detached, and brain damaged Eurocrat figures out their side is on the losing end if it comes to a trade war so it is better to just play nice and admit free trade is the way to go. The EU is especially weak to this kind of coercion because any country which threatens to hold things up can be individually targeted and any which peel away can be exempted. Thus with an aggressive carrot and stick approach the block and be divided and brought to heel.
Yes, despite our American stereotype of Brits as unfailingly polite and impeccably restrained, their parliamentary sessions do get a bit raucous. Considering Trump's intolerance of the slightest whiff of criticism, that would be a show worth seeing.
They could schedule him the same day as a vote on the welfare budget, none of the fuckers show up to those.
Oh yeah, bright boy speaking for the commons. Wasn't he supposed to be an evenhanded persona? Anyway, no doubt it was a classy move and important for this same Commons putz to buy tea and crumpets and hookers to entertain the little dictator turd from NK in his London flat; good show Bercow !
He probably thinks their house full of lords are lorde impersonators staying at an air bnb. He is not a smart man.
