The following blog appears in todays Argus: Its always a challenge when social media goes into meltdown not to feel obliged to take sides. The various Executive Orders signed by Donald Trump since he took office show he really is the man who made those offensive statements. Any prospect of the role itself bringing some balance to his rhetoric and actions which I confess was my hope seems to have been lost. We are faced with a monster that some angry and hurt parts of American culture have propelled into more power than his wildest dreams could have expected. The state visit assuming it goes ahead will not change a great deal here or there, although no doubt it will keep social media busy and it will inevitably lead to even more shows of disdain and anger. Even the anticipated cost of £3M-£4M won’t impact our economy although that money could clearly be put to much better use. However I am proud to live in a city which on Monday evening saw some 2,000 people including friends and family on the street protesting and by early Tuesday morning had seen over 20,000 signatures on the petition calling for the State visit to be downgraded which would save some of that money. Brighton and Hove has many problems and challenges, but it is a proud city of sanctuary and perhaps for that reason reacted strongly to Trump ending sanctuary for Syrian and other refugees. Thankfully two of our MPs were willing to speak out, perhaps in time Simon Kirby could add his voice to our call for Theresa May to rethink her decision, supposedly on our behalf!