YP Comment: Trump reveals his true colours. Muslim travel ban indefensible

DONALD Trump and Theresa May clearly developed a close rapport during their White House talks '“ the critical test now is whether the US President listens to reason over his all-encompassing travel ban on refugees and passport-holders from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Theresa May and Donald Trump at their joint press conference.Theresa May and Donald Trump at their joint press conference.
Theresa May and Donald Trump at their joint press conference.

Though the first duty of every elected leader is national security, President Trump’s indefensible draconianism is at odds with the founding principles of the so-called ‘land of the free’ and the warm welcome previously afforded to immigrants.

And while Mrs May made clear that she’s prepared to be a critical friend of the United States, it did not reflect well on the Prime Minister when she declined, on three occasions, to condemn the controversial ban before howls of derision forced Downing Street to harden its stance and make its displeasure clearer.

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It’s not just those asylum seekers fleeing genuine persecution who are being denied sanctuary – the Trump doctrine is so punitive that it also applies to Somalia-born Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, who trains in America where his four children live. He said it is “deeply troubling” that he might now have to tell them that “their daddy might not be able to come home”.

He’s not alone. Other high-profile victims include Iranian film-maker Asghar Farhadi, whose movie The Salesman is nominated for the forthcoming Oscars and Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, who was born in Iraq and, potentially, cannot visit his two children who are studying at universities in the US.

Mr Zahawi’s eloquent words are worth repeating: “I don’t think I have felt discriminated against since little school when the kids were very cruel.” Is this what the White House intended? Though he can use his position and speak for himself, others caught up by this ban are less fortunate. Yet the consequences do not end here. Not only is it wrong to stigmatise people by nationality or religion, President Trump’s inflammatory actions also play into the hands of Middle East jihadists who will portray America as the enemy of the world.

Unless America thinks again, Mrs May is in danger of appearing weak as calls grow for President Trump’s planned state visit to the UK to be cancelled. Rather than allowing the US to become more insular, the PM needs to be telling her new ‘friend’ that better intelligence-gathering is the way forward rather than this vindictiveness. The response will determine what type of ‘special relationship’ Britain now has with America.

EU exports matter

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AS Britain and America look to put in place a trans-Atlantic trade deal to coincide with the UK’s exit from the EU, Britain can’t afford to totally turn its back on Europe as a protectionist United States pulls down the shutters.

Yorkshire and the UK’s largest cities export far more goods to the EU than they do to America and China, a point which Brexit-supporting Cabinet Ministers overlook at their peril as they prepare to trigger Article 50.

Today’s research by the Centre for Cities think-tank is a wake-up call in more ways than one. What if business executives can’t travel to the US if their family ancestry does not meet President Donald Trump’s strict new entry criteria?

There are other factors, too. Closer to home, this critique is another reminder, if one was needed, about the intrinsic importance of Hull’s docks, and other ports along the Humber estuary, to the future economic prosperity of the North.

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As such, future decisions about access to these ports are not just a matter for Hull. They’re a matter for every city in this region, a point worth noting as pressure grows on political and business leaders to end Yorkshire’s devolution deadlock.

Symbolism of Sapphire Jubilee

THE symbolism will be striking when the Queen marks her Sapphire Jubilee next month. A deliberately low-key day out of respect for her father, King George VI, who died on February 6, 1952, these gemstones hold special significance to Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

A symbol of love and purity, Queen Elizabeth II’s most precious and personal possessions include a glittering necklace, and matching earrings, that were a wedding gift from her father. Who could have envisaged a Royal reign like no other?

And while no national events are planned to mark a milestone never witnessed before in UK history, it does not preclude the country at large from sending its good wishes to Her Majesty for the exemplary example that she continues to set.