Chris Mason: How Lammy and Vance’s unlikely friendship is being leveraged

Chris Mason: How Lammy and Vance’s Unlikely Friendship is Being Leveraged

Despite ongoing public critiques from Donald Trump against the UK prime minister, a unique bond between the leaders’ deputies has continued to develop. David Lammy, serving as both justice secretary and deputy prime minister, recently engaged in meetings with JD Vance, the US vice-president, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. These sessions, each lasting approximately 45 minutes, centered on conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. While the foreign secretary’s role was previously held by Sir Keir Starmer, the government has chosen to spotlight Lammy’s rapport with Vance as a strategic asset.

The connection between the two officials began years ago, during Lammy’s time as an opposition MP and Vance’s early tenure in the US Senate. Last summer, Vance and his family spent time at Lammy’s Kent residence, Chevening, during a holiday visit to the UK. Lammy shared a photo of their handshake on X, accompanied by a statement:

“It was great to catch up with my friend JD Vance today in DC following his talks in Pakistan.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a ceasefire and ensuring unhindered shipping through the Straits of Hormuz, noting their shared efforts toward peace in Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer has publicly criticized Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his claim that a “whole civilisation will die tonight” when addressing Iran. In a parliamentary speech, Starmer clarified:

“In relation to the language about destroying a civilisation, could I really be clear with this House – that was wrong.”

He underscored the harm inflicted on Iranian civilians by their regime, stating that such language would not align with the UK government’s values. This week, Starmer also linked Trump and Vladimir Putin in a single critique, remarking that the public’s rising costs were due to “the actions of Putin or Trump.”

Meanwhile, the UK has opted not to join America’s efforts to restrict Iranian ports. Trump has remained vocal in his disapproval of the prime minister, even calling him “not Winston Churchill.” While details of Lammy and Vance’s discussions remain sparse, their collaboration highlights a growing alignment in policy despite broader tensions between their nations’ leaders. The warmth of their relationship stands in contrast to the frosty dynamic between Starmer and Trump, offering a potential diplomatic advantage for the UK.