TRUE, Donald Trump remains a controversial figure to many, but he is the democratically elected leader of the free world, and we should respect that.
On 3 June the President’s motorcade sweeps into town in order to commemorate the anniversary of the D Day landings.
If ever there was a moment in history where the ultimate sacrifice was made to secure our freedom, the 6th June 1944 was it.
The Queen will host a state banquet at which Mr Trump will be the guest of honour.
However, Jeremy Corbyn and Speaker John Bercow have declined the invitation,
citing their disapproval of Mr Trump’s ‘sexism’ and more.
While this may be a relief for whoever is planning the seating arrangements, it is also unnecessarily rude and a slight to the United States itself.
As I hinted at the start of my article, without the country’s economic might, and courage of its service men and women during World War Two, the history of our island may well have been very different.
The US remains our strongest ally, in recent years sharing the heavy lifting in hell-holes such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and of course bearing the brunt of NATO’s commitments.
The virtuous Mr Corbyn, on the other hand, is quite prepared to mix with terrorists, despots and human rights’ abusers.
The hypocrisy is self-evident.
Meanwhile, Mr Bercow’s suggestion that he might not allow Mr Trump to address both houses of Parliament looks likely to backfire, as Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords, has promised use of the Royal Gallery.
There is no doubt in my mind that, like many Presidents before him, Mr Trump is a true friend to this country.
He divides opinion, yes, but which politician prepared to actually do what he says doesn’t?