Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Politics

Lord Bird: Show Donald Trump the "real" Britain – not another golf course

Whenever Donald Trump finally visits Britain as US President, he should be given an eye-opening tour of "somewhere real," according to Lord John Bird

Big Issue founder John Bird

Donald Trump’s first visit to Britain as US President must not be allowed to turn into a tour of the nation’s finest golf courses, Lord John Bird has warned.

Speaking on the BBC’s flagship Daily Politics show, Big Issue founder Lord Bird said Trump represented some of the worst traits of America’s questionable leaders – and said he’d gladly take the US President on an eye-opening tour of Britain when he finally touches down.

Donald Trump at Pennsylvania rally

“I’d like to get on the plane, grab hold of him and take him some place other than the golf course,” Lord Bird said when asked by host Jo Coburn whether he’d be one of those welcoming President Trump next year. “I’d like to take him to somewhere real.”

President Trump has already accepted the Queen’s invitation for him to travel to the UK, following Prime Minister’s Theresa May visit to Washington in January.

The prospect of a state visit has caused controversy and would undoubtedly attract protests. It’s been reported that Trump changed his mind on plans to visit this year and now Downing Street and the White House are looking at options for 2018.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“This is diplomatic, it has nothing to do with politics,” Lord Bird added. “It has nothing to do with anything but the fact that Theresa May wants to make the most of her premiership. And she needs the old alliance, even though this man is probably the most peculiar person to have ever held that office.

Trump seems to be all the worst things put into one

“America has had some pretty strange and horrible presidents. Andrew Jackson was a scumbag. Reagan wasn’t exactly playing with a full hand. This guy seems to be all the worst things put into one.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

How many kids, Keir?

Ask the PM to tell us how many kids he'll get out of poverty
Image of two parents holding two small children, facing away from the camera

Recommended for you

View all
Big Issue leads call for the government to set targets to end child poverty in upcoming strategy
Child poverty

Big Issue leads call for the government to set targets to end child poverty in upcoming strategy

Rachel Reeves faces calls to resign over rental rule break: 'Politicians can't be left off easy'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing pressure to quit over her rental home error
Politics

Rachel Reeves faces calls to resign over rental rule break: 'Politicians can't be left off easy'

Should we be scared of the crime all around us? The truth is, it's safer than you think
Crime statistics

Should we be scared of the crime all around us? The truth is, it's safer than you think

Young people call on Rachel Reeves to bring in wealth tax: 'Our generation is losing hope'
Wealth Tax

Young people call on Rachel Reeves to bring in wealth tax: 'Our generation is losing hope'

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Every day, Big Issue digs deeper – speaking up for those society overlooks. Will you help us keep doing this work?