Advertisement
Politics

Lord Bird: Show Donald Trump the “real” Britain – not another golf course

Whenever Donald Trump finally visits Britain as US President, he should be given an eye-opening tour of “somewhere real,” according to Lord John Bird

Donald Trump’s first visit to Britain as US President must not be allowed to turn into a tour of the nation’s finest golf courses, Lord John Bird has warned.

Speaking on the BBC’s flagship Daily Politics show, Big Issue founder Lord Bird said Trump represented some of the worst traits of America’s questionable leaders – and said he’d gladly take the US President on an eye-opening tour of Britain when he finally touches down.

“I’d like to get on the plane, grab hold of him and take him some place other than the golf course,” Lord Bird said when asked by host Jo Coburn whether he’d be one of those welcoming President Trump next year. “I’d like to take him to somewhere real.”

President Trump has already accepted the Queen’s invitation for him to travel to the UK, following Prime Minister’s Theresa May visit to Washington in January.

The prospect of a state visit has caused controversy and would undoubtedly attract protests. It’s been reported that Trump changed his mind on plans to visit this year and now Downing Street and the White House are looking at options for 2018.

Advertisement
Advertisement

“This is diplomatic, it has nothing to do with politics,” Lord Bird added. “It has nothing to do with anything but the fact that Theresa May wants to make the most of her premiership. And she needs the old alliance, even though this man is probably the most peculiar person to have ever held that office.

Trump seems to be all the worst things put into one

“America has had some pretty strange and horrible presidents. Andrew Jackson was a scumbag. Reagan wasn’t exactly playing with a full hand. This guy seems to be all the worst things put into one.”

Advertisement

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special New Year subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
'The right is on the rise': UK's democracy is too fragile to be 'complacent' about Trump, experts say
Donald Trump
Donald Trump

'The right is on the rise': UK's democracy is too fragile to be 'complacent' about Trump, experts say

What impact will Trump's presidency actually have on the UK? Here's everything you need to know
Donald Trump

What impact will Trump's presidency actually have on the UK? Here's everything you need to know

Starmer wants to 'mainline' AI into the UK's 'veins'. Here are the opportunities – and the risks
Artificial Intelligence

Starmer wants to 'mainline' AI into the UK's 'veins'. Here are the opportunities – and the risks

'Dictators die, the people live on': What Syria's revolution means for those who fled Assad's regime
Syria

'Dictators die, the people live on': What Syria's revolution means for those who fled Assad's regime

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue