The timing of the invite — in the middle of a House of Commons recess — has already raised eyebrows.
Government officials insisted Monday that the timings were down to Buckingham Palace, and not an attempt to avoid a parliamentary backlash to the controversial U.S. commander in chief.
Nigel Farage, a longstanding supporter of Trump, and the leader of Britain’s right-wing Reform UK party, said Monday that parliament must “without doubt” be recalled from its recess as the U.S. “is our most important ally.”
“Nigel Farage is right,” chimed in Conservative MP Suella Braverman.” The USA should be our closest and strongest ally. Shamefully our relationship has been broken by this terrible government. Of course President Trump should address Parliament.”
Fellow Tory MP John Cooper acknowledged “diary complications may have dictated the timing” but said “it would be a huge disappointment were a state visit — a serious honor — not to include the opportunity to address both houses.”
“It would be wonderful for him to talk to MPs and Lords as together our countries face confrontations and conflicts,” Cooper told POLITICO. “I’m a big fan of American football and the chance to hear from another team’s star quarterback is not to be missed!”
