Watch the moment JD Vance warns David Lammy that Britain faces a “dark path” with regard to free speech should it continue its current course.
The Vice President opened up his UK trip by going on a fishing trip with the Foreign Secretary before sitting down with the press.
President Trump’s second-in-command has long been a critic of Britain and its approach to free speech and he made that clear during his first overseas trip as Vice President.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he launched an extraordinary attack on Western societies for curbing free speech and allowing mass migration.
JD Vance is concerned about free speech in Britain
|POOL
The UK came in for particular scrutiny, with Vance saying the “backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons in particular in the crosshairs”.
Asked about his comments during his sit-down with Lammy, Vance told reporters: “I raised concerns about free speech in the United States of America.
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“I think the entire collective West. The Transatlantic relationship, our NATO allies and the United States under the Biden administration got a little too comfortable censoring rather than engaging with a diverse range of opinions.
“That’s been my view. I have raised some criticisms and concerns on this side of the Atlantic. The thing I would say to the people of England and David is, many of the things I was worried most about were happening in the United States from 2020 to 2024.
JD Vance has spoken negatively of the Labour Party in the past
| TUCKER CARLSON NETWORK“I just don’t want other countries to follow us down what was a very dark path under the Biden administration.”
A stony-faced Lammy watched on and had nothing to add when invited by Vance to contribute.
Vance praised the Foreign Secretary as a “good friend” and expressed his family’s affection for the UK.
The working visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement between two politicians who have found common ground through their religious beliefs, despite substantial political disagreements.
Lammy was told by Vance that Britain could face a 'dark path'
|POOL
Vance has built a reputation as a fierce advocate of "America First" policies and has previously directed strong criticism towards Britain's Labour government.
His arrival comes during a period of strained relations between Washington and London.
The visit's itinerary encompasses diplomatic discussions with British officials, engagements with American military personnel stationed in the UK, and various cultural activities.
The Foreign Office meeting between Vance and Lammy represents an attempt to navigate these complex transatlantic dynamics.
Key policy matters are set to dominate the diplomatic agenda, with conversations anticipated to centre on the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, and bilateral trade arrangements.
These discussions come at a crucial juncture for UK-US relations.
The Vice President's presence in Britain is likely to spark demonstrations, with protesters expected to voice their opposition to his political positions.
Similar protests marked his recent domestic travels in America, reflecting widespread criticism of his policy stances.