Andrew Dismore

At today’s London Assembly plenary Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore spoke in favour of a motion expressing concern about the impact of future trade agreements on London, due to the recent travel ban. (video here)

 

Mr Dismore said:

 

‘What really brings it home were the comments of Sir Mo Farah, that the Queen had made him a knight and Donald Trump had made him an alien.’

 

‘I want to speak up for the 13,000 Barnet and 6,000 Camden residents caught by the ban, part of the 150,000 Londoners it catches.’

 

‘The Mayor is right to speak out against travel bans on the basis of nationality or religion.‘

 

‘It is wrong that 150,000 Israelis are also caught by the US ban, as they were born in countries from which Jews were expelled as refugees   in the late 40s and early 50s, when Israel was founded; and it is wrong that Israelis are banned from visiting  those  same  countries, even now.’

 

‘Difficulties elsewhere in the world include Indians visiting Pakistan and vice versa; and Greek Cypriots who want to visit Turkey. None of these artificial political obstacles are right.’

 

‘I am pleased that the USA courts have found the ban unconstitutional, and it is salutary to note that President Trump’s advocate did not produce any evidence to back up the need for the ban in the Federal Appeal Court.’

 

‘The only ban I want to see is on President Trump’s state visit. While he may well come for political and trade discussions at No.10, what he stands for goes against our British values. He should not be entertained the Queen, inspecting the Grenadier Guards, or speaking in Parliament. I am with Speaker Bercow on that.’

 

‘It is a pity that UKIP spoke in favour of Trump and that the Conservatives did not vote for the motion.’

 

 

The full text of the motion is:

 

“This Assembly welcomes the Mayor’s immediate and unequivocal condemnation of the US President’s decision to ban travel to the US for people of several, predominantly Muslim, nationalities.  We welcome the Mayor’s comments that any travel ban based on nationality or religion, including bans on Israeli citizens, “is shameful and cruel”. London should always be a city that espouses the global values of tolerance, diversity and freedom. London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and many of its residents could be affected by the restrictions – be it for personal reasons, or business.

 

This Assembly fears that that this decision establishes the direction of travel for Donald Trump’s presidency and we are concerned about future agreements between the US and UK and their impact on London; not only in regard to travel, but future trade agreements as well.

 

We therefore call on the Mayor to make representations to the UK Government to ensure that any future trade agreement with the US will be a fair deal for London and the UK. This includes a careful examination of the potential impact of the deal to vital services, such as the NHS, and assurances that standards for imported goods and services will be maintained, not reduced to meet levels used in the US. The Government should not let the urgent need to establish new trade deals weaken its hand in these negotiations.”