‘A state visit is an honor, and we don’t think that this president deserves an honor,’ says shadow foreign secretary.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry says U.S. President Donald Trump
“is a sexual predator” and “a racist,” and “it’s right to say that,”
Speaking to the BBC’s “Today” radio program about Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to boycott Trump’s U.K. state visit this week and instead address an anti-Trump protest rally, Thornberry said it is the appropriate response to the American president.
“A state visit is an honor, and we don’t think that this president deserves an honor,” Thornberry said. “He is a sexual predator, he is a racist, and it’s right to say that. And I think we need to think about when is it that our country got so scared. Why can’t we start saying things as they are?”
The shadow Cabinet minister said it’s time for the U.K. to stand up to Trump.
“We’ve seen the way in which this current British government have tried to deal with Donald Trump, by fawning all over him, holding his hand, and what respect have we got as a result of it?” she said, adding that “actually he admires strength.”
She said: “It’s like the way you deal with a bully. If you bow down in front of them, you get kicked harder.”
Asked why Corbyn refused to attend Trump events but took a different approach during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit, Thornberry said the Labour chief had raised his concerns with the Chinese leader during meetings with him.
She added: “The reason I think that I personally am so angry at this particular American president, and I admit that I am, is that I love America and I love the values America has stood for … When you have a close friend and they’re going wrong, you are more likely to be more adamant with them, clearer with them, than with someone who has not been as close a friend and you are trying to build a relationship with them.”
PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE
This is a "Pay as You Feel" website.
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. If you've enjoyed reading the articles on Labour Heartlands so far, We would be incredibly grateful if you could consider making a small donation. Labour Heathlands is not your typical news outlet. We are not here to simply regurgitate the daily news cycle, that's for the rest of them. Our focus is on delving deeper, uncovering the untold stories and shedding light on the issues that the mainstream media chooses to ignore.
Our unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity means that we are not influenced by any external forces. We are not beholden to PR companies, advertisers or press barons, and we refuse to let anyone dictate what we report on. Our editorial independence is sacrosanct, and our only allegiance is to the truth.
While we do not align ourselves with any particular political party, we stand firmly against corruption, injustice and the erosion of truth and the rule of law. We believe that accurate information is the lifeblood of a democracy and that facts are not up for debate.
Once again, thank you for your support – We truly couldn't do this without you!