Scottish Greens co-leader has demanded that Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney refuse to facilitate a state visit
By Bill Heaney
Wee Patrick Harvie has continued his David v Goliath campaign against Big Donald Trump.
The Dumbarton Academy-educated politician has called on Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney to ban the Donald from entering the UK.
American Presidents occasionally make state visits to Britain to hold talks or attend events, with Joe Biden having had a meeting King Charles and Rishi Sunak last July.
Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader, has already urged the First Minister to end Scotland’s relationship with the USA despite it being one of the country’s biggest export partners.
He also branded him as a “misogynist” at First Ministers Questions last week as he criticised the decision by Mr Swinney to congratulate him on his win.
The Scottish Greens co-leader said: “Donald Trump represents the most toxic, racist and divisive politics. His election is a threat to human rights, reproductive rights and our environment.
“Since his visit in 2019 he has only got worse, with multiple felonies against his name and the disgraceful violent scenes that he whipped up in the aftermath of his defeat. That kind of politics should not be legitimised or rewarded.
“Donald Trump is a serial liar and a clear and present danger to equality and our climate. By honouring him with a state visit Keir Starmer would be endorsing him, while he is stripping others of their rights and cosying up to human rights abusers around the world.
“We urge Keir Starmer to halt any plans for a visit like this and urge the Scottish Government to make clear that they would not support it or host the President on any of his golfing visits. We do need to maintain our relationship with the US, but we must do that by working with the people who are bravely standing up for human rights, for climate action and for democracy, in the face of Donald Trump’s far right agenda.”
Mr Swinney was already forced into a climbdown by events after urging Americans to vote for Kamala Harris during last week’s election. But the Democrat nominee was beaten in the end by Mr Trump, who won the runoff by 312 electoral votes to 226.
The Donald has already spoken about wanting to increase tariffs for exporting products from outside the USA which could be a crushing blow to industries in Scotland, such as the Scotch Whisky industry which has a significant presence in West Dunbartonshire.
However, reports have claimed that he could offer a special deal to the UK, meaning a reprieve for the likes of the whisky and shortbread industries.