‘ABSOLUTELY wrong’ is how Mark Pawsey described Donald Trump’s so-called ‘Muslim Ban’ – but Rugby’s MP was accused of ‘appeasing’ the controversial US President by supporting his state visit to Britain.
While angry protests raged around the region, the secretary of the Rugby Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) asked Mr Pawsey to oppose Trump’s ‘racist policies’ and call for the state visit invitation to be withdrawn.
Mr Pawsey condemned any policy that discriminated against people because of their nationality, and said he was pleased such a policy would not be pursued in Britain.
But he said cancelling Trump’s visit would be ‘counterproductive’.
He added: “The Government has raised its concerns directly with its counterparts in the United States.
“It is important to remember the United States is one of Britain’s closest allies and such a relationship goes deeper than any one President.
“The interests of the UK, the US and the whole world are best served by continuing to work with the new administration.”
But TUSC spokesman Pete McLaren said Mr Pawsey failed to address their concerns about the Muslin ban, which he likened to Hitler’s policies towards Jews.
He said: “We are disappointed Mark Pawsey did not feel able to stand up for what is right.
“Saying ‘it’s not what we would do’ is far from the response we have seen from other European leaders.
“If Trump continues in this way, we may find ourselves best friends with a dictator. History will not look kindly on us for that.”
Trump has barred nationals from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Libya from entering the USA, halted the US refugee programme for 120 days, and indefinitely banned all Syrian refugees.
Amid emergency demonstrations around the world, protestors gathered in Leamington and Coventry on Monday (January 30) to oppose the executive order.
Around 200 protesters headed to Leamington Town Hall, while around 300 students took to central campus at the University of Warwick.
Protesters also gathered under the Lady Godiva statue in Coventry city centre and in Victoria Square in Birmingham.
Protesters young and old were out in force in Leamington. Photo by Jem Crook.
