The pomp and circumstance of Donald Trump's state visit to the UK cannot distract from the hate and division it represents, according to a scathing commentary by Frances Ryan. The author criticises Keir Starmer's decision to roll out the red carpet for the US president, arguing that the visit legitimises a leader whose policies and behaviour are deeply problematic.
Ryan highlights the irony of the visit taking place shortly after a major nationalist event in Britain, which she describes as allowing a 'disease' to spread. She points to Trump's itinerary avoiding London protests and parliament being in recess as evidence that the government is uncomfortable with the optics of the visit.
The article also criticises the government's response to far-right marches, noting that Starmer took 24 hours to issue a statement after a large protest. Ryan argues that the crisis is worsened by elected officials being 'staggeringly unequipped' to deal with the challenge, and calls for more decisive action against extremism.
