chrisd
Major Champion
So. The Speaker if the House of Commons has vetoed the invitation of Donald Trump to speak to the Commons during his visit later on
Right or wrong?
Right or wrong?
John Bercow - right or wrong?
- Thread starter chrisd
- Start date
If it's in his remit then that fine. If it is outside of his power then no. The invitation is premature and speaking to the House is an honour. He needs to earn that and not just by being the president.
Bercow has generally been a very good speaker and I think he is representing the feelings of the house on this occasion. I would say that is part of his job.
Bercow has generally been a very good speaker and I think he is representing the feelings of the house on this occasion. I would say that is part of his job.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Right - in a nutshell he believes a racist sexist bigot shouldn't speak in the HoC and IMO he is right
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Totally right in my view Chris.
Watching reports on all channels they have been unanimous that it is within his power to do so.
My own view is that he is also morally correct in taking the action.
PhilTheFragger
Provider of Entertainment for the Golfing Gods 🙄
playing devils advocate here, but the President of China and the Emir of Kuwait have both addressed Parliament, both countries have appalling human rights records
surely we must be even handed
surely we must be even handed
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Three wrongs don't make a right Phil. Those two should've been shown the door too. Better we stop the rot eventually than let the sore fester on indefinitely.
Touché
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D
Deleted member 18588
Guest
Apparently not Phil.
I despise Trump and all he stands for but equally I cannot tolerate double standards and hypocrisy. Let him address the House and let our MP's receive his speech in silence thus displaying their feelings towards him.No cries of "Hear, hear!" or waving of order papers.
For someone as obsessed with his TV image as Trump this could prove very effective.
chrisd
Major Champion
Three wrongs don't make a right Phil. Those two should've been shown the door too. Better we stop the rot eventually than let the sore fester on indefinitely.
Touché
Surely theres only one Wong !
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
I say he's wrong. We have had many brave souls die to keep our freedom of speech and spirit. Whether we like Trump or not he has the right as POTUS to have the offer extended to him. We don't have to like or listen to him just extend the position he holds, the honour of addressing the House if he wants.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
And Trump is doing his best to silence freedom of speech. Deriding the judge who ruled his immigration ban EO as being illegal and unconstitutional and referring to him as a 'so-called judge' and tweeting earlier today that any polls that disagree with his position as Fake News. We do value freedom of speech - he does not - and any kudos he gains from visiting the UK will simply be self-aggrandisement and ego-stroking. We should not give him that pleasure. More than half of the US electorate will thank us for that.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
What they do over there is up to them and their electorate. Freedom of speech cannot be allowed just when you choose to like someone.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
With Freedom of Speech must also come responsibility
Freedom of Speech doesn't mean being allowed to spread messages of hatred , racism and sexism- Trump is guilty of them so because he can't act responsible when speaking he won't be allowed to talk his nonsense with in the HoC
Old Skier
Tour Winner
Shouldn't be up to the egotistic sycophant but if those is the rules and all that. Wife used to be quite tasty though.
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
Nobody is denying him freedom of speech, all he is being denied is the platform of an address to parliament which would have given more credence to his racism, sexism and lies.
I actually think Bercow is both right and wrong on this. Right that Trump should not be given this platform but wrong in that it shouldn't really be for the speaker to decide. But since the PM and government have abandoned their principles on this I suppose we should be glad that someone has at least spoken up.
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
What is the problem to which banning Trump from speaking in the HOC is the resolution?
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
Personal opinion has no place in an office of state - take the lead from our head of state, the Queen who, whatever her personal views, keeps them as just that - personal and private and totally separate from her constitutional role. If the speaker is unable or unwilling to do this he should resign and return to the floor of the house as an MP. In my opinion of course.
Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
Do we know that it is Bercow's decision alone, or is he being used as a convenient way of denying Trump the platform without the rebuke being seen to come from the House or from the PM herself? Not saying you're wrong FD, just wonder if there is a little more to it?
Bit torn by this one, I have no love for Trump and won't miss him not being given the platform, but as others have said we seem to have allowed worse the privilege and possibly on Bercow's watch. However I suppose if we we are going to make a stand we have to start somewhere.
drdel
Tour Rookie
Beyond his remit. Speaker is not supposed to be political even if his views are popular.
bluewolf
Money List Winner
The right decision, but made by the wrong person. It should have been a united stand by all parties. The Freedom of speech argument cannot be used to promote ignorance, intolerance, divisiveness and greed.
Wrong, he's supposed to be neutral and should stand down.
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