Stella Creasy: Just what does Trump have to do before we cancel his state visit? What do Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Geert Wilders, Mike Tyson and Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church all have […]

What do Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Geert Wilders, Mike Tyson and Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church all have in common?

Each has been denied the opportunity to come to the UK because it would “not [be] conducive to the public good”. How then can a man who promotes Britain First, and then when challenged by our own Prime Minister rebukes her rather than apologises, be considered less incendiary?

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Bluntly, just what does President Trumphave to do to be told his ticket to our shores is no longer valid?

There is nothing formal about him

Trump’s visit is intended to be formal- involving him meeting the Queen, and being lauded as any other head of state would be as he opens the new American embassy. Except in his first year in office Trump has proved himself anything but traditional- whether by banning refugees from America, revelling in his own sexual misconduct or playing cat and mouse with North Korea.

Whilst many of us had already argued he should not have the honour of addressing parliament given his track record on sexual harassment and religious tolerance, in promoting an anti-democratic and fascist organisation he has crossed a further line that means his invitation should be put on ice all together.

It is one thing to be a critical friend and use every chance to challenge his views; it is another to welcome someone who legitimises the voices of intolerance in our democratic process- voices who use intimidation and threats to try to silence others. Voices who can never be seen as part of Britain, however much they try to claim our flag.

‘This is not about asking Theresa May to recreate Hugh Grant’s speech in Love Actually – it’s about making clear that there are consequences’

We do have a choice

Our national pride deserves better than a Prime Minister who having turned her back on our European neighbours has little choice but to cosy up to a man who is stoking division and hatred at home.

Those who worry about what saying no to his visit at this time will do to cooperation between our nations overlook both that Britain’s relationship with America is already tarnished by his conduct – on and offline- and can only be rehabilitated to one of equals by standing up to him and commanding respect.

This is not about asking Theresa May to recreate Hugh Grant’s speech in Love Actually in some grand public gesture. But it is about saying that if a foreign leader intervenes in British politics, and then when challenged doubles down on the damage he’s doing to our community cohesion, there need to be consequences.

To let him come now also sends a message – to every woman who said “me too”, to every Muslim who now fears travelling to America, to every transgender soldier who has served this country – that their rights and value to our country is to be sacrificed in the name of trade.

How we can protest his visit

If our political leaders fail to defend our nation’s treasured history of diversity and tolerance, then little wonder the people want to fill the gap. But how we do that matters as much as that we do. Violence and criminality is the conduct of Britain First. Silence and absence gives Trump a platform to do more damage in the UK if he comes.

If this visit goes ahead it calls for a response that reflects our distinctive British Democratic ways.

If we are creative we can also show solidarity with those who his presence insults. That’s why if Trump doesn’t heed the call to apologise and stay away from our shores, I intend to wear the colours of the pussyhat brigade- the pink hats first knitted by Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman to bring attention to civil and human rights issues.

A vibrant shocking pink that could not be ignored in the sea of the women’s marches around the world or by any President, no matter how blinkered he may be about the world. Now that really could be a colourful eye opener.

@stellacreasy