Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has announced he will boycott the state banquet hosted by King Charles for US President Donald Trump, in protest over Trump's handling of the Gaza crisis. Davey, who was invited to the dinner during Trump's state visit to the UK in late September, said the decision was deeply serious and went against his instincts.
In a Guardian article explaining his move, Davey wrote: 'The humanitarian crisis in Gaza must stop. The famine must end. The hostages must be returned home. There is one man, more than anyone else, who has the power to make it happen: Donald Trump.' He accused the US president of giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'his full support' instead of pushing for a ceasefire.
Davey said he believed Prime Minister Keir Starmer was right to engage with Trump, but argued that someone needed to raise the Gaza issue in a way that could not be ignored. 'I fear we could have a situation where Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, and no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation,' he said.
The Lib Dem leader emphasised that his boycott was solely about Gaza, despite disagreements with Trump on Ukraine, tariffs, and his engagement with Vladimir Putin. He said he had discussed the decision with his wife, Emily Gasson, and concluded that refusing the invitation was the only way to send a message to both Trump and Starmer.
Davey acknowledged that turning down an invitation from the King was a significant act, but felt compelled to use his position as opposition leader to draw attention to the crisis. The state visit is a rare honour, as no US president has previously been granted a second state visit to the UK.
