Story Highlight
– VP JD Vance on holiday in the UK with family.
– Visits include Chevening House, Cotswolds, and Scotland.
– Vance and Lammy share warm personal friendship.
– Both politicians bonded over difficult childhoods and faith.
– Vance also plans meetings with UK political figures.
Full Story
US Vice President JD Vance has embarked on a holiday in the United Kingdom, where he will explore regions including the Cotswolds and Scotland. The trip commenced with a stay at Chevening House in Kent, the official residence of Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Despite their contrasting backgrounds—Vance hails from Ohio and holds conservative views, while Lammy is a North Londoner known for his left-leaning stance—both politicians appear to share a strong rapport.
During a media interaction at Chevening, Vance expressed his fondness for Lammy, stating, “I have to say that I really have become a good friend, and David has become a good friend of mine.” The two families enjoyed a morning of fishing at Chevening’s expansive estate, where Vance humorously remarked that the activity caused “a strain on the special relationship,” as his children caught multiple fish while Lammy did not reel in any.
Lammy welcomed Vance, describing Chevening—a historic manor house—and its 3,000 acres of grounds as his home, even though it is a national property used by cabinet ministers for retreats and diplomatic meetings. The two men first connected during Lammy’s visit to Washington, DC, prior to Vance’s Senate election, and have maintained their friendship ever since, including a meeting at the inauguration of the new Pope.
Reflecting on their shared experiences, Lammy highlighted the bond between himself, Vance, and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner during a recent gathering at the Villa Taverna, the US ambassador’s residence in Rome. He noted, “I had this great sense that JD completely relates to me and he completely relates to Angela.” Both Lammy and Vance have personal backgrounds marked by challenges, but they have both accomplished significant academic achievements, with Lammy having studied at Harvard and Vance at Yale.
Their discussions have often touched upon faith, as Vance, a convert to Catholicism, joined Lammy for Mass during a recent visit to Washington. Interestingly, both have previously expressed critical views on Donald Trump; Vance has called him “reprehensible” and “an idiot,” while Lammy referred to him as “a tyrant” and “a woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath.” However, both have since softened their stances.
Experts suggest that personal relationships can be impactful in international relations, particularly under the current administration. Bronwen Maddox, CEO of the Chatham House think tank, noted that “Trump has deliberately personalized these things,” which complicates diplomatic ties. Despite Lammy’s alignment with the Democratic Party, he has been encouraged to reach out to Republican figures, including Vance.
While Vance is deepening ties with Lammy, he also plans to meet Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and may engage with Nigel Farage of Reform UK. Additionally, the vice president’s itinerary includes a visit to the Cotswolds, a locale increasingly favored by affluent Americans seeking an elegant countryside experience.
Plum Sykes, a writer, explained the allure of the Cotswolds to wealthy visitors, saying it merges pastoral charm with urban sophistication. “Americans can’t go to Wales and survive in the same way they can in the Cotswolds where you can get a matcha latte and go to a gyrotonics class,” she remarked.
Vance’s accommodation near the farm of broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson raises the possibility of an unexpected encounter, given Clarkson’s past jabs at Vance. Yet, as evidenced by their respective engagements, fostering diverse friendships seems to be a growing trend in today’s political climate.
