British lawmakers today debated a petition to ban United States Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from Britain over remarks on Muslims, but while describing his comments as “crazy” and “offensive”, most said the ban would go against free speech.
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On Monday, the UK Parliament debated a petition calling for Mr. Trump to be banned from entering the country.
David Cameron also has said he does not support a ban, while condemning Trump’s comments about Muslims as “divisive, stupid and wrong”. Under British law, any petition supported by 100,000 people who must each provide and confirm an email address is considered for parliamentary debate.
Other M.P.’s worry banning Trump, would only make him more popular.
One argument for banning Trump is the fact that he called to ban all Muslims from entering the United States in December, following a deadly mass shooting in San Bernardino.
During a debate on whether Mr Trump should be barred from the country James Brokenshire, the immigration minister, said it is not the first time the Presidential hopeful has threatened to withdraw his money from the country.
PhotoJeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, said he would not bar Donald J. Trump from entering the United Kingdom, Instead, Mr. Corbyn invited Mr. Trump to visit his London constituency.
But a debate among lawmakers on calls to ban Trump from the country revealed little appetite to close Britain’s doors to the provocative Republican U.S. presidential contender. “But we shouldn’t build him up with our own attacks”.
“A visit to the site of recent unprecedented areas of flooding in England might be useful and educational for Mr Trump, the global warming denier”, he added.
Another Tory MP, Paul Scully, said people have ben excluded for hated and violence “but I’ve never heard of one for stupidity”.
British Home Secretary Theresa May already has the power to ban certain visitors – including those deemed nonconducive to the public good for reasons such as a record of hate speech – but such a move would appear highly unlikely.
LONDON Donald Trump doesnt have many fans in Britains Parliament.
But even if a ban had been an option, it wasn’t the preference of a majority of those who spoke during a passionate and, insults aside, reasonably high-minded discussion that touched on weighty issues of free speech, political extremism and what’s become of Britain’s American cousins.
Mr Dromey said said: “I don’t think Donald Trump should be allowed within 1,000 miles of our shore because he would embolden the EDL on the one hand and fuel the flames of terrorism on the other hand”. Through a thick brogue, a Scottish National Party member, Anne McLaughlin, noted that Trump is “the son of a Scottish immigrant”.
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“May I just say that naturally it is no surprise that I oppose this ban”.
