Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has publicly urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to advise King Charles III to cancel his state visit to the United States, which is due to take place next month. Davey made the call in response to the ongoing conflict in Iran. 'Keir Starmer should advise the King that the state visit to the US scheduled for April should be called off,' Davey stated, as reported by Sky News.
This political pressure emerges against a backdrop of recent UK decisions regarding US military actions. According to Sky News, Sir Keir Starmer's initial decision not to grant permission for the first wave of military action prompted criticism from Donald Trump. However, Sir Keir Starmer later granted permission for 'defensive' US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, though the exact nature of these actions is unclear based on available claims.
Keir Starmer should advise the King that the state visit to the US scheduled for April should be called off.
Further complicating the diplomatic landscape, reports indicated that the UK was preparing an aircraft carrier to go to the Middle East. In response, Donald Trump posted that the UK was 'finally giving thought' to sending two carriers. Downing Street confirmed that Donald Trump has since spoken to Sir Keir Starmer in a phone call, though the details of their conversation remain unknown.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would not say when she last spoke with relevant parties, adding another layer of uncertainty to the communication channels. The exact date of the King's scheduled US state visit next month has not been specified. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between UK political leadership and US foreign policy under Trump, with the proposed royal visit becoming a focal point for domestic political debate over international alliances and military engagements.
At a time when Trump has launched an illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills for British families, it's clear this visit should not go ahead.
The call for cancellation reflects broader concerns about the UK's role in international conflicts and its diplomatic relations with key allies. Analysts note that such moves could strain the special relationship between the UK and US, particularly amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. The Liberal Democrats' stance may also influence public opinion and parliamentary discussions ahead of the visit.