Lib Dems table Parliamentary motion calling for the King’s state visit to the US to be cancelled

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Lib Dems table Parliamentary motion calling for the King’s state visit to the US to be cancelled

The Liberal Democrats have today tabled a Parliamentary motion, calling on the Prime Minister to advise His Majesty the King that his upcoming state visit to the United States should be cancelled, as Donald Trump continues his illegal war in Iran.

The Liberal Democrats have today tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling on the Prime Minister to advise that His Majesty’s upcoming state visit to the United States is cancelled. This comes as Donald Trump continues his illegal war against Iran, which has destabilised the Middle East and triggered a surge in energy bills and petrol prices for British families.

The party is calling on MPs from across the house to back the motion and stand up to Donald Trump’s "bullying" tactics. Since launching military action on 28 February, the American President has repeatedly tried to demean Britain, labelling the UK’s diplomatic approach “terrible.”

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP said:

“A state visit is the highest diplomatic honour we can bestow. It must not be used to reward a President who has launched an illegal war, brought UK troops, citizens and allies into harm’s way, and driven up energy and petrol prices for British families.

“It would be utterly wrong for His Majesty the King to be placed in the impossible and embarrassing position of acting as a PR shield for an administration that insults our troops and allies, and destabilises the global economy.

“Liberal Democrats are clear that this state visit should not go ahead. Keir Starmer must stop appeasing Trump and advise the Palace to cancel this visit immediately."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The full text of the EDM is below; it will be published on 19th March 2025. 

State visits to the US

That this House notes with grave concern Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s unilateral military action against Iran; expresses its horror at how Iran’s reckless response has engulfed the wider Middle East in this war; believes that multilateralism, diplomacy, and the use of economic levers are the only legitimate and sustainable means through which to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions and help deliver genuine freedom for the Iranian people; further believes that the UK must not be complicit in this military action; recognises that this war is already causing tangible harm to British families through its impact on higher energy costs; agrees that any decision on the deployment of British Armed Forces into conflict must be made in the UK's national interest and subject to a vote in Parliament; calls on the Prime Minister to stand firm against Trump's bullying, to avoid Britain being further dragged into this war; and further calls on the Prime Minister to cancel forthcoming British state visits to the US, given President Trump’s ongoing war and disparaging remarks about the UK and other allies who were not consulted on the decision to go to war.

Emily Thornberry MP’s comments on the state visit can be found here. 

Trump’s comments on the UK’s approach to the conflict can be found here.