When considering blog topics, I usually try to avoid talking about Donald Trump. The man is such an odious figure; whatever he does will receive worldwide attention. I didn't wish to add to that storm of Trumpism as his administration lurches from one day to the next. Many of his values – most notably over inhumane detention centres, retweeting Britain First and wishing to ban citizens based on their religion – are, along with even the Republican Party mainstream, so far detached from my own beliefs.
It appears this is the case for others. As Mr Trump visits Britain later this week, his first trip as US President, thousands of people are expected to protest. The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has authorised an inflatable baby vaguely resembling you know who flying over the capital, the creation representing a superhero soaring to save the country. However, despite vehemently opposing nearly all of Trump's agenda, attending a protest opposing the Donald is not the answer. It remains unclear what the anti-Trumpers are against. His visit? It became too late to oppose that long ago, when Theresa May (foolishly) extended a warm invitation for a state visit. To do so in the dawn of his premiership represented not a strong United Kingdom but a weak Prime Minister preparing once again to suck up to the American President for a trade deal. The very fact Parliament debated banning the President was ludicrous, when efforts would be far better spent bringing him to Britain and revealing our diverse, cohesive communities. According to the 'Stop Trump' official website, a major rally against the President is planned for Central London, specifically outside the BBC headquarters and Trafalgar Square. Everyone has the right to protest, after all, to show our anger and contempt for the current system can generate change. One only needs to look at history to see how rallies for universal suffrage and against racism has clearly resulted in different values that we are all grateful for today. Nevertheless, what do difference do people expect their march to make? Donald Trump is certainly a fan of attention. One only needs to look at the constant media appearances made as a businessman, poorly hosting 'The Apprentice' and prolific use of twitter. Negative attention will probably only result in a rude tweet towards some citizens of the UK. Whether we like it or not, the electoral college is used to elect US Presidents and, by that system, Mr Trump won. If the Democrats in America haven't bought about much change, I doubt likeminded people in the UK will either. Even to protest in London is the wrong decision. His schedule has been announced and perfectly fits the Trump personality of the big, suave, lavish lifestyle. According to the Daily Mirror, Melina and himself will be 'guests of honour' at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, before staying at Regent's Park, heading to Chequers and Windsor Castle to meet her Majesty. After that follows a trip to Scotland where he will spend most of the time, unsurprisingly, playing golf. He must be aware of the protesters, or simply doesn't care. Most people, if they are not protesting his visit, will certainly be protesting his values, socially conservative views and frankly racist ideas. However, unless you have protested and marched at the arrival of every single dodgy, wacko, nutter leader the UK has hosted, most of whom are foreign dictators who happily oppress women and LGBT people, you have no case for protesting against Mr Trump. Yes, he is more well known, but if opposition is because of values he fails to fulfill, that anger should extend to all leaders, no matter where they come from. Whether the UK ends up in or out of the EU, we will need a relationship with the US. We may view it as special, the overall shared belief in liberal democracies, market economics and the rule of law dominating our spheres. It is unclear what the US' perspective is, defence secretary James Mattis warning France could replace the UK as a special ally due to our lack of increased defence spending. Especially after Brexit, the United States may come to be a closer ally, one we rely on more if the economic implications of Brexit go south. While free marketers simply wish for a trade deal and explosive economic liberalism, liberals must stand up for the values of the UK and US, which go far beyond whoever the office holder is. As I have so often stated on Twitter, part of a relationship, whether it is special or not, is the ability to say when the other side is wrong. When Theresa May meets Mr Trump, she must tell him where he has crossed the line, where she disagrees with his proposals. That rational, reasoned way of discussing matters is far more likely to get some sort of compromise than requiring millions to be spent on extra police officers, numbers not seen since the 2011 London riots, to increase Trump's publicity and add to the irrational rage and anger that has so dominated politics over the last two years.
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