The new Anglo-American 'Special Relationship' ends the "Blair Doctrine"

There was never a travel ban on Muslims.

There was a temporary restriction put into place on passport holders from seven countries * which had been selected by Obama as causing concern for harbouring terrorists.

The restriction applied equally to Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists, and even Atheists.

* Iran, Iraq, Libya Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen

I realise that Dave, but I think it is safe to say the ban was directed at Muslims from those countries affected by the ban.

Some would disagree. This evening, James Duddridge tabled a motion of No Confidence in the Speaker branding his attempt to interfere in President Trump's state visit "wholly inappropriate". The MP told Sky News "He has overstepped the mark, he has overstepped the mark a number of times but this most recent incident - where he used the Speaker's chair to pronounce his views on an international situation in some quite detailed and lengthy manner is wholly inappropriate and it means that he can no longer reasonably chair, as Speaker, any debate on those subjects."

The House is now in recess and returns on Monday 20th February. Duddridge believes a growing number of his colleagues will add their names to the motion and that it is even possible that the House will find itself in the position of having to elect a new Speaker when it returns in ten days' time.

A State Visit is a domestic matter! Now who's stupid ...

It's a privilege, I agree, but afaik, at the time Bercow mentioned it on Monday, there was no official invite for Trump to address the members of both Houses in Westminster Hall. Bercow is just one of the 3 (so-called) key-holders who give permission for Westminster Hall to be used for such occasions; the other two are reportedly a bit angry at his failure to seek consensus with them before going off on one.

With luck Bercow will be out of his £145,000 pa plus expenses job and his grace and favour four bedroom luxury apartment within a few days. Labour's Lindsay Hoyle is his likely successor, IMO.

Britain has hosted heads of state who are equally as bad - and some far more so - than Donald Trump. Governments can rarely afford to ignore or shun despots like Xi Jinpin, Robert Mugabe or Nicolae Ceaușescu regardless of the personal feelings, politics or moral compass of the hosts; pragmatism is the order of the day.

Trump seems like an OK chap, a strong leader.

Better to have him on our side than against us.

Reminds me of an American manager I once worked under, an ex US-Navy Commander I believe, a strong decision maker. Such was the strength of his voice that when he answered the phone the windows rattled throughout the building.

Regarding Bercow, Ann Widdicombe explained the situation quite simply on TV last night. As John Bercow, the individual, he can hold and express whatever views and opinions he chooses in private but his public persona - as the Speaker - must be seen to be completely neutral and in no way controversial.

He has certainly been controversial with his outburst, I personally feel uncomfortable with his remarks, it should be the Government that speaks as a whole on matters like this.

I don't agree with some of Trumps comments and actions but we should afford him some respect as the President of the US.

So Trump wasn't elected by "the" people?

Bercow was elected by 34,167 people in the Buckingham constituency (.05% of the UK population and .11% of the UK electorate). . He represents them in Parliament as an MP (of no political party). His role as speaker is rather more complex, and he is beholden to the processes of Parliament. He was elected to the role by 322 MPs (49.5% of MPs or .00005% of the UK population).

Bercow speaks for the process of Parliament. He represents the electorate of Buckingham. It is a misconception to assume he speaks for Mr Smith of Devizes Town.

Trump was voted as President, directly, by 62,979,879 (46.1%) of the electorate.

Precisely. Hence the cosying up to Turkey. Whatever next - superguns to Saudi Arabia?

All countries cosy up to countries with a less than perfect record may it be human rights or other issues, its a simple fact of life and economics, we all have to get along with people we disagree with, take this forum for example

I look at it like this, if we didn't sell arms and munitions to SA another country would.

Mmm,...

Hate to remind you but Donald Trump is the democratically elected President of the United States, one of our greatest allies, like it or not.

If we show no respect to him, we show no respect to the American People.

Bollocks. I have a few dozen American friends, and come to that I am one quarter American myself, and none of my American friends and relations say that we should show any respect to Trump, who is a liar and a con man and who was NOT elected by the majority of Americans, who voted by a margin of more than three million for Hillary Clinton.

I guess you are a Hillary Clinton supporter then.

So why did Hillary lose?

You make a very good point Dave in my view, I think our friendship with the US is important and we should give Trump some leeway.

If Trump is as bad as some people are making out then its up to the people of the US to address the situation.