British parliamentarian calls on the U.K. to rally around Canada, throws poutine party

Chris Brown · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 12, 2025 1:41 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hr ago

As a governmental stuntman, the antics of British person Ed Davey could capable a item reel. 

The person of the U.K.'s Liberal Democrats has bungee-jumped disconnected a elephantine crane to rally voters, shovelled sheep manure connected a Welsh workplace to protestation taxation hikes for farmers and tumbled disconnected a paddle committee to underscore the hazard of earthy sewage successful British waterways.

But now, with U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff warfare successful afloat flight, Davey is trying to rally British voters to a caller cause: supporting Canada. 

For his latest governmental stunt, connected Wednesday, Davey burst done a Canada emblem astatine a Canadian-themed pub successful cardinal London and invited section media to dine with him connected a paper of Canadian poutine, Beaver Tails and Canadian beer. 

"I privation to marque definite that radical cognize that British radical basal with Canada," Davey told CBC News astatine the impromptu lawsuit astatine the Maple Leaf pub successful Covent Garden.  

"President Trump is behaving recklessly, irresponsibly and to dainty Canada, 1 of its closest allies ... this mode is beyond appalling."

Davey, 59, led the Lib Dems, arsenic they're known, to their champion electoral showing successful astir a period successful past year's election,  winning 72 seats and vaulting the enactment into a coagulated 3rd spot successful Parliament.

His unconventional, attention-getting stunts were seen arsenic 1 of the keys to getting voters to prosecute with the party's campaign. 

"I deliberation if President Trump gets distant with this benignant of behaviour, whether it's Canada oregon anyone else, frankly, it's going to harm everybody successful the world," said Davey arsenic helium dug into a sheet of poutine. 

"I deliberation we person to choose," he said. "We person to beryllium down Canada." 

In Parliament, Davey has repeatedly voiced enactment for Canada,  referring to Trump arsenic a "playground bully."

On Wednesday, Davey demanded British Prime Minister Keir Starmer instantly alert to Canada to basal successful solidarity with its cardinal Commonwealth partner.

In his response, Starmer demurred, calling Canada "an important ally" whilst emphasizing Britain's tendency to negociate an economical woody with Trump that avoids punitive commercialized measures.

Trump's 25 per cent tariffs connected each U.S. alloy and aluminum imports — including from Britain — kicked successful connected Wednesday. The measurement could perchance impact astir 5 per cent of British exports, making them much costly for U.S. consumers, according to the BBC.

While Starmer says helium is holding disconnected connected immoderate retaliation for the moment, the European Commission connected Wednesday said it would enforce counter-tariffs worthy $28 cardinal US connected galore goods. 

"We're precise keen to enactment with our European colleagues, but we're arsenic keen to enactment with our Commonwealth colleagues, too," said Davey.

"And I deliberation there's spot successful numbers and I deliberation it sends a very, precise large sign." 

On his past overseas sojourn arsenic premier minister, Justin Trudeau met with King Charles to sermon what was termed: issues of "sovereignty."

While Charles has not spoken publically astir the friction betwixt Canada and the U.S., British media reports person suggested the King is precise concerned.

In 1 of his caller nationalist appearances, Charles was seen wearing his Canadian medals connected his subject uniform; he besides planted a Canadian Maple Tree connected the grounds of Buckingham Palace to observe Commonwealth biology initiatives. 

On Wednesday, King Charles bestowed a ceremonial sword upon Gregory Peters, Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada, according to a quality merchandise from Buckingham Palace.

And astatine the ceremonial astatine Westminster Abbey marking Commonwealth Day connected Monday, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was dressed successful reddish and white.      

Canada's High Commissioner to Britain Ralph Goodale told CBC News helium believes the shows of Canadiana were intentional and aimed astatine showing governmental support.

"Nothing happens by mishap with the royal family," helium said.

Still, most of the enactment coming Canada's mode has mostly been symbolic.

As with Starmer's measured reply successful Britain's parliament to Davey's question, galore overseas leaders person been cautious not to offend oregon alienate the unpredictable U.S. president.

"I've been truly impressed astir the mode the Canadian governments, whether it's Trudeau, and present Carney, person been beardown against Trump," said Davey.

As for his archetypal foray into Canadian poutine, Davey quipped that the fries smothered with gravy and food curds looked "super healthy."

"Who wouldn't privation it," helium joked.