More than a million people have signed a government petition to prevent Donald Trump making a state visit to the United Kingdom.It was only started yesterday morning, but in that time it has attracted a huge following, at times gaining dozens of signatures per second.
As the population of the UK is just over 65 million (only British citizens are allowed to sign), the indication is that around one in 65 people added their name – a huge amount for this kind of activism.Downing Street said they would not be scrapping the invitation, as it would be a ‘populist gesture’.
Theresa May extended the invite when she visited Donald Trump last week. He accepted and is due to be hosted by the Queen later this year, treated to all the pomp and ceremony accorded to a state visit. Downing Street said its position had not changed on the US president’s trip as Theresa May came under pressure to downgrade or axe the visit.
‘An invitation has been extended and accepted,’ a Number 10 spokesman said. The government must respond to any petition with 10,000 signatures, and consider a debate if it reaches 100,000.