Cole-Hamilton Urges Using King's US Visit as Leverage Against Trump
Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has called on the UK government to utilize King Charles III’s upcoming state visit to the United States as diplomatic leverage to influence President Donald Trump. Speaking during the Holyrood election campaign in Edinburgh, Cole-Hamilton described Trump as a 'gangster' and criticized current UK leadership for failing to stand up to him. He cited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as an example of successful resistance against Trump’s pressures. Cole-Hamilton suggested that threatening to withdraw the prestige of the Royal visit could help 'bring Trump to his senses.' Additionally, he outlined his party’s domestic agenda, including support for small businesses and fuel duty reductions, while ruling out any coalition with the Conservatives or Reform UK to unseat the SNP. He also dismissed claims of secret deals between Labour and Reform Scotland, emphasizing a shared loathing for Reform’s political style. The comments were made amidst the unveiling of the SNP’s election manifesto ahead of the May 7 vote.
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Cole-Hamilton Urges Using King's US Visit as Leverage Against Trump
Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has called on the UK government to utilize King Charles III’s upcoming state visit to the United States as diplomatic leverage to influence President Donald Trump. Speaking during the Holyrood election campaign in Edinburgh, Cole-Hamilton described Trump as a 'gangster' and criticized current UK leadership for failing to stand up to him. He cited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as an example of successful resistance against Trump’s pressures. Cole-Hamilton suggested that threatening to withdraw the prestige of the Royal visit could help 'bring Trump to his senses.' Additionally, he outlined his party’s domestic agenda, including support for small businesses and fuel duty reductions, while ruling out any coalition with the Conservatives or Reform UK to unseat the SNP. He also dismissed claims of secret deals between Labour and Reform Scotland, emphasizing a shared loathing for Reform’s political style. The comments were made amidst the unveiling of the SNP’s election manifesto ahead of the May 7 vote.
The Standard