Special relationship? Poll reveals Brits favour Trump state visit going ahead
The prospect of Donald Trump visiting the UK next month has elicited shock, disapproval and protest among the general public in recent months. It even looks set to prompt the return of a giant inflatable baby-blimp version of the controversial reality star-cum-leader of the free world.
Read more: Trump will not address MPs during June state visit
But with just under a week to go before the Queen rolls out the red carpet for the self-styled Master of the Deal on his first official state visit, it has emerged more Brits approve of Trump’s upcoming visit than disapprove.
A Yougov poll of more than 2,000 people indicated this morning that Britons are in favour of the trip going ahead by 46 per cent to 40 per cent, despite widespread dissent at Trump's politics or policies.
The poll also found people are losing their appetite for politicians to work with Trump. Just 40 per cent of those polled wanted MPs to work alongside the President, while 41 per cent want the government to distance itself from him. This is compared to a similar poll in 2017, which found more than half of Brits thought the government should work with him.
Trump's last visit was met with widespread protest, including the infamous Trump baby blimp – which is set to make a return (Source: Getty)
In the intervening two years, Trump has enforced anti-immigration rules that separate children from their parents, initiated a full-scaled trade war with China and overseen the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States.
His visit to the UK next week will see him and his wife Melania greeted by the Queen, along with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall upon arrival at Buckingham Palace. The Trumps will also meet outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May.
Read more: Trump pardons fraudster media mogul Conrad Black
Last time he was on UK shores in July last year, the visit was marked by nationwide protests and comments he made in an interview that May’s Brexit plans would have an adverse effect on trade deals between the US and the UK.