Unable to avoid the excruciating images of Donald Trump and Theresa May walking hand in hand at the White House, along with the outpour of chaos and controversy surrounding Trump’s ban on Muslims entering the U.S., Trump acrimony has reached new heights in Britain.

Trump's first weeks in office resulted in almost every city and town in the U.K. hosting some kind of anti-Trump procession. On Feb. 4, around 4,000 people took part in a protest march in Manchester fueled by popular outrage over the president’s travel ban on nationals from predominantly Muslim countries. The angered crowds also called for May’s offer of a state visit for her new best buddy to be revoked.

In London, three protests took place in under a fortnight, also rallying against Trump’s executive order suspending travel to the U.S. from seven majority-Muslim nations. Thousands gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in London as Muslims, Christians, Jews and other faith groups congregated among a sea of colorful anti-Trump banners, reading "Stand Up To Racism," "Stop The War," and a myriad of other slogans.

"A Stark Warning to Us All"

The trove of nationwide protests in Britain’s streets followed earlier widespread demonstrations across the country in response to Trump's inauguration. In Glasgow, thousands turned up to protest, angered over the president’s controversial sexist, racist and derogatory outbursts.

The Glasgow anti-inauguration protest followed the signing of a statement by more than 50 U.K. politicians as well as religious leaders and trade unionists urging people to "Stand up to Trump. The statement described the election of Trump as “deeply disturbing and a stark warning to us all.”

Meanwhile another anti-Trump petition has been fervently circulating the U.K. calling for the prevention of Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain. The petition, which has received almost 2 million signatures, says Trump should not be invited for an official state visit because it would “cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen.”

House of Commons Speaker "Speaks for Britain"

The antipathy swelling in Britain moved into even higher gear with the comments of John Bercow, the House of Commons Speaker, who recently told the House of Commons that he would “strongly oppose an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall” and accused the U.S. president of “racism and sexism.”

Greeted by a rapture of applause in Parliament, Bercow’s remarks ignited controversy with many Conservative MPs voicing criticism of Bercow for speaking his mind rather than maintaining impartiality.

Bercow has since defended his comments, saying he was “honestly and honourably seeking to discharge my responsibilities to the House.” However, the anti-Trump sentiment brewing in Britain meant Bercow’s comments have been largely met with approval rather than disdain.

Bercow, a staunch believer in free speech, was criticised by some for what they called hypocrisy, attempting to cripple free speech in not allowing Trump to address U.K. Parliament. But by failing to make the effort to combat sexism and racism in British politics, others said, would have been hypocritical in itself.

Writing in The Guardian, columnist and political commentator Owen Jones said Bercow “Spoke for Britain” when he made his comments. “If the government wishes to grant a state visit to the bigoted megalomaniac who currently inhibits the White House, that is technically right. But the speaker has the right to intervene on who gets to address parliament.”

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Opposing Trump Bigotry

Owen is certainly not alone in his belief that Bercow “spoke for Britain.” Andy Jones, a public relations advisor, told Occupy.com that Britain needs to boldly oppose Trump and his policies if it is going to uphold the "identity and sovereignty" it pines for – as seen through the nation’s decision to leave the EU.

“Theresa May might be intent on playing the congeniality game with Donald Trump, but John Bercow should be applauded and commended for sticking up for what he and much of the British public believe in,” said Jones. “If we are to maintain our unique identity and sovereignty, which was a strong message shown by our Brexit decision, we need to oppose the bigotry Trump is imposing on the world and stand up for what we believe in.”

While there is a prevailing and escalating anti-Trump wave rolling across Britain, not everybody is sitting opposite Trump. Granted, it wasn’t easy to find a Trump supporter among the people of Britain, and in all honesty this reporter struggled to find one. Vice, however, had more success and found three Brits who support Trump.

One of those supporters, Ed, told the publication he admires Trump because, like himself, Trump is a businessman and respects “driven, high-energy individuals.” Ed said he also admires Trump for his commitment to call out the truths many people “don’t want to hear” and believes he has made “other Western leaders look extremely weak.”

Motivating Behaviors

Occupy.com caught up with Ensize U.K., an analysis company that provides expertise in leadership, organisation and human behaviour, and whose CEO Michelle Mills-Porter offered some interesting insight about the behavioural similarities and differences between Barack Obama and Donald Trump – and why people might support or disagree with them.

According to Mills-Porter, a comparison of the "driving forces" behind both men, and how those forces impact their behavior, must be considered.

“It’s when we compare Trump and Obama’s driving forces that we can see where they really are poles apart. Many would say that Obama was preoccupied throughout his presidency with ethics, morals and a consideration for others, whereas Trump’s behaviour across the campaign trail could easily be described as displaying high power influence and economic drivers,” said Mills-Porter. “So it’s easy to assume that many supporters of either leader would share similar driving forces and behaviours."

While Trump may garner the support of a handful of business-revering cohorts, for the majority of people in Britain, the U.S. president's boastful, chauvinistic vulgarity – not to mention his cruel, ill-thought policies – won’t be tolerated. That starts with sending a message that he is not welcome here, either in the halls of government or in the streets.

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