On TM and the US Travel Ban
Throat clearing
Like many others, I am concerned at the callousness of the refugee ban, announced on Holocaust Memorial Day, and the blanket travel ban imposed on people based on their country of birth. I am also genuinely surprised that this affects US citizens - green card holders - and British citizens, of dual citizenship, including one of our own Conservative MPs, Nadhim Zahawi.This is one of those moments where even the quietest of us must say something. But Theresa May has said almost nothing about this in public.
What I admire about May
That is one reason I admire her.
'But...'
Now is the time for such a response.
But so far, the indications are that she would rather duck the issue. This would not be ethical, or politically tenable.
What should she do next?
Perhaps something along these lines:
- That the UK-USA relationship is meaningful: communications have been made to the US administration that Britain is opposed to these measures and will not adopt such a policy herself for some very good reasons.
- That some of those affected are British citizens and should be treated with due respect.
- That she has reminded the President of what it says in the front of every British citizen's passport:
Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.