The two political parties in the UK actually quarreled over Trump. Why?

CCTV News stated that on the afternoon of the 20th local time, the House of Commons of the British Parliament debated two public petitions posted on the official website of the British Parliament. The two petitions focus on whether Trump should pay a state visit to the UK. Among them, a petition calling on the British government to cancel the invitation to Trump for a state visit has been signed by more than 1.85 million people; more than 300,000 people have signed another petition supporting the British invitation to Trump for a state visit. access.

Fierce confrontation between members of the two parties in the UK

Some Labor MPs said that former US Presidents George W. Bush and Obama were only invited to the UK more than two years after taking office, while Trump was Only seven days after taking office, the United Kingdom extended an invitation to him for a state visit, which was unconventional.

But the Conservatives disagree, arguing that the "special relationship" between Britain and the United States transcends all else.

In addition, lawmakers debated whether Trump's discriminatory remarks against women during the campaign would affect his state visit to the UK. A British female congresswoman said, "Trump's insulting remarks about women show his sexism, which means he is not qualified to meet our Queen."

On January 27, the British Prime Minister During her visit to the United States, Theresa May announced that U.S. President Trump has accepted the Queen's invitation and will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom later this year. Subsequently, someone launched a petition to "prevent Trump from paying a state visit to the UK" on the official petition website of the British Parliament. Currently, more than 1.85 million people have signed this petition, calling on the UK to cancel the state visit to Trump. Visit invitation.

At the same time, more than 300,000 people signed another petition, believing that the UK should invite Trump for a state visit.

According to relevant regulations, once the number of petitions exceeds 100,000, parliament should consider debating relevant issues. However, the debate was more symbolic than practical. There was no voting session after the debate.

△A fierce debate took place in the House of Commons of the British Parliament

A large number of people rallied to oppose Trump’s visit to the UK

On the 20th, while the British Parliament was debating, A large number of British people held protests again to oppose Trump's state visit to the UK this year. They held up signs opposing Trump's claims of racism and sexism, arguing that he should not enjoy the highest courtesy of a state visit.

△British people held protests

Recently, anti-Trump demonstrations have continued in the UK, and a cross-party "Stop Trump Alliance" has been formed. Even the long-term Speaker of the House of Commons Bercow, who remains neutral in British politics, also expressed "strong opposition" to Trump delivering a speech in Parliament during his visit to the UK.

The British government has officially rejected the people’s petition

Although the opposition to Trump’s release of Britain is getting louder, the British government has not changed their position and formally rejected the people’s petition. petition. This is being discussed in Parliament now, but there will not be any kind of vote after that. This means there will be no substantial impact on plans to invite Trump to the UK for a state visit.

Why is Trump unpopular with the British people?

A petition calling on the British government to cancel a state visit invitation to Trump has been supported by more than 1.85 million people. Why is Trump so unpopular with the British people?

△Video: Why Trump is unpopular with the British people

Trump’s remarks on restricting immigration and trade caused concern

As early as Trump’s campaign , his remarks on restricting immigration and trade have aroused concerns among people from all over the world. On January 20, the day Trump was inaugurated, many London citizens rallied at Tower Bridge, calling on Trump to build bridges of communication instead of building high walls of isolation. Some people also displayed banners such as "Immigration is welcome" and "Immigration is older than language" on Westminster Bridge to protest Trump's immigration policy.

Trump has been criticized for his rude remarks towards women

In addition, Trump’s repeated rude remarks towards women during the general election also aroused strong dissatisfaction among the British people, especially women. On January 21, about 100,000 mostly female demonstrators held a large-scale march to protest against Trump’s racist, sexist and anti-feminist rhetoric during the campaign.

The petition, which has received more than 1.85 million signatures, also clearly states that Trump's "misogynism and vulgarity make him unworthy of being received by the Queen of England."

△People in London, England, participated in the Women’s March to protest against Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States and call for attention to women’s rights.

Trump’s “Muslim ban” set off a wave of protests

Finally, Trump signed the “Muslim ban” on January 27 to restrict immigration and refugees from entering the United States. This completely ignited the anger of the British people, causing two large-scale protests against Trump and the "Muslim ban" to break out in the UK.

On January 30, demonstrations broke out in many British cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Thousands of people took to the streets and held up slogans to protest against Trump and the "Muslim ban". On the 4th of this month, several Muslim groups in the UK jointly launched another round of protests. Thousands of British people braved the rain and held a demonstration that lasted three hours in London. The protesters held high slogans such as "Welcome Refugees" and "Oppose Racism". slogans, opposing the "Muslim ban" signed by Trump, and calling on the British government to withdraw its plan to invite Trump to pay a state visit to the UK.

News analysis: The "special relationship" between the United States and Britain will never be repeated again

The close relationship between the leaders of the United States and Britain can be traced back to Roosevelt and Churchill during World War II. From Reagan and Thatcher during the Cold War to George W. Bush and Blair during the Iraq War, Britain generally followed the lead of the United States on major international issues. Last month, during British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to the United States, the United Kingdom and the United States promised to reshape the long-standing "special relationship" between the two countries. Can this "special relationship" between the two countries really be repeated yesterday?

Reshaping the "special relationship" as a verbal promise? There are still differences on major issues

Some analysts believe that Trump made a mistake in his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May last month. , verbally reaffirmed the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. This made the United Kingdom, which was worried about its reduced importance in the US diplomatic strategy after choosing "Brexit", reluctantly relieved. However, the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is obviously not strong.

Trump’s foreign economic policy centers on trade protectionism, which runs counter to the UK’s urgent need to embrace the world through expanded free trade after Brexit. In addition, the UK also has differences with Trump's views on its attitude towards NATO, the EU, and Russia, as well as issues such as the Iran nuclear deal and the use of torture to treat terrorist suspects.

It remains to be seen where the "special relationship" will go

British Prime Minister Theresa May is the first foreign leader Trump has met since taking office. May also invited Trump to visit the UK and The British Parliament gave a speech, but this invitation was opposed by a large number of British people. Public opinion pointed out that although the leaders of the two countries intend to reshape the special relationship between the two countries, with the changes of the times, the adjustment of the international political landscape and the change of public opinion, the influence of this special relationship has long been different from what it used to be. Where it will go is still unknown.

Experts: The "special relationship" has put the UK in a crisis situation

British experts said in an interview with CCTV reporters that the UK is preparing to reshape the "special relationship" with the United States, mainly to use the The power of the United States has increased its international influence, but for the United Kingdom, this approach now puts the United Kingdom in a crisis. With the development of the times and the differentiation of British and American interests, Britain is facing the dilemma of being abandoned by the United States. Quentin Peel, a senior fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, believes that the premise for the United States and the United Kingdom to maintain a "special relationship" is that the United Kingdom is part of the European Union. Once it leaves the EU, the United Kingdom will have no use value to the United States.