Scot Lib Dems set out plans for a visa route for Americans fleeing Trump presidency

At their conference in Inverness, Scottish Liberal Democrats have backed plans for the UK Government to take steps to strengthen the UK’s place in the world, stand up against Trump and boost support for Ukraine to defeat Putin.  

The plans call on the UK Government to:

• Create a visa route to allow highly-skilled Americans who wish to flee the Trump presidency to come to the UK, so they are legally able to contribute to the economy and help fund public services.
• Negotiate a brand new UK-EU Customs union and negotiate a youth mobility scheme, boosting our economy, removing barriers and strengthening our hand with Trump.  
• Hold a summit with the Commonwealth nations with the aim of discussing a joint response to threats of tariffs that would deepen the global trade war.
• Convene an international summit to agree how to use the hundreds of billions of dollars, pounds and euros of frozen Russian assets to pay the weapons Ukraine needs to beat Putin.  

Party members also backed an amendment which called for a reversal in the proposed cuts to UK aid and for the UK Government to urgently explore partnerships to stop the life-threatening withdrawal of support for measures such as malaria prevention, AIDS retroviral drugs and maternal health.

Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine MP, said:

“We live in a dangerous and volatile world. We have all watched in horror as America threatens trade wars and the shameless attempts to publicly humiliate President Zelensky in the Oval Office.

“As unsettling as this is, it demonstrates that we must deal with President Trump from a position of strength, not weakness.

“Now more than ever, the UK must show leadership and stand up for the core, liberal values of equality, democracy and the rule of law, both at home and around the world.

“That’s why the government needs to boost our connections with Europe, defend European security and provide a clear pathway to the UK for those Americans wishing to flee the Trump presidency.

“We cannot shy away from the threat this aggressive attitude presents to international stability.

"We must stay strong and not allow European freedoms and prosperity to be sacrificed for Donald Trump's personal ambitions.”