US President Donald Trump’s State Visit to Britain this summer will coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day in June. It could include normal routines like gun salutes, a state banquet in the Palace ballroom and meetings with the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and industry leaders. Downing Street and Buckingham Palace want to make it a memorable one and US secret service agents will arrive in Britain to give finishing touches to aspects related to necessary logistics associated with the state visit.
Daily Mail UK reports Commons Speaker John Bercow does not want to give Donald Trump a chance to address the Parliament. It is his private objection because he does not approve of the President’s style of leadership. However, Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood has criticized the decision. His argument is the “special relationship” was “greater than any one individual.” Sebastian Gorka, Mr. Trump’s former deputy assistant, said – “This is an outrage.”
Preparations are on
No. 10 Downing Street has issued internal directives for meetings with Donald Trump. It is common knowledge that he has issues with his concentration because in the case that any meeting goes beyond half an hour, “he just starts doodling.” Hence, meetings will likely be arranged keeping this duration factor in mind.
Trump visited Britain briefly for a two-day non-state visit in July of last year. At that time, he dined at Blenheim Palace with Prime Minister Theresa May, and met the Queen at Windsor Castle, before flying to Scotland to play golf. Observers feel his return could have links with US-UK trade deal once UK leaves the EU.
Daily Mail UK gives an insight into other aspects of the state visit. The secret service will plan the President’s routes when he travels in the special armored vehicle known as “The Beast.” The US Air force will airlift two vehicles in advance, one of them will be a decoy.
Controversy over Trump’s visit
According to Independent UK, soon after Donald Trump took over as the US president in January 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May met him in Washington and extended an invitation for a state visit.
It was, officially, on behalf of the Queen. However, that is yet to materialize even though he did go to the UK last summer. Until now, only two occupants of the White House have had the privilege of a state visit during the Queen's reign. First, it was George W Bush in 2003 and then Barack Obama in May 2011.
The controversy over Commons speaker John Bercow’s refusal to allow Trump to address parliament during the state visit was an embarrassment because defense minister Tobias Ellwood differs with Bercow’s views. His argument is that there were US veterans who sacrificed their lives to defend the values of the British and US President Donald Trump should get an opportunity to formally address Parliament. Former Navy chief Lord West of Spithead was in agreement with Tobias Ellwood and said stopping the president from speaking in Parliament would be "an absolute disgrace."