Letter to Theresa May, Prime Minister - Disappointment That Your First Official Visit to the United States as Prime Minister Was Partisan in Nature

Letter

We write to express our disappointment that your first official visit to the United States as Prime Minister was partisan in nature. The relationship between our two countries has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, enjoying support from both Republicans and Democrats. You are the first serving foreign leader to speak at a congressional Republican retreat. We believe your decision to do so, and to decline to meet with congressional Democrats in a similar fashion, was a breach of protocol. We hope that in the future your government will choose a more balanced relationship with our entire elected government, not give preference to one party.

As you know, foreign leaders have historically coordinated with congressional leadership from both political parties when visiting the United States, recognizing that support from both parties is necessary in order to advance shared economic, political, and security interests. As friends of the United Kingdom, we are committed to advancing our bilateral relationship. The United Kingdom is one of our largest trading partners and a key ally. We believe a bipartisan spirit is more important than ever to advance our political and economic ties, particularly following the United Kingdom's referendum to leave the EU. It is also necessary to confront the mutual security challenges that our countries face, including cementing the NATO alliance, combating the so-called Islamic State, and countering Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The relationship between the United States and Britain has traditionally enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress, and we hope to be able to work together with you in a more constructive manner in the future

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