Close friend of JD Vance, David Lammy, gets promotion to deputy prime minister in UK
The article reports that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed David Lammy, a close friend of US Vice President JD Vance, as the new deputy prime minister and justice secretary. this cabinet reshuffle follows the resignation of Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, who stepped down due too a tax code breach related to her property purchase. Lammy, previously the foreign secretary, will be succeeded by Yvette Cooper, who moves from home secretary, while Cooper’s former role will be filled by Shabana Mahmood, known for her participation in a 2014 pro-Palestinian protest.
David Lammy has criticized Israel’s policies during the conflict with Hamas, advocating for greater humanitarian aid into Gaza, though he supports Israel’s right to exist. despite political differences, Lammy and JD Vance maintain a personal friendship, bonding over their working-class backgrounds and Christian faith. Their friendship includes social visits, such as fishing trips in the UK.
The article also notes strengthening US-UK relations, with former President Trump visiting Starmer and upcoming plans to meet King Charles. The cabinet changes reflect internal political adjustments amid ongoing regional and international developments.
Close friend of JD Vance, David Lammy, gets promotion to deputy prime minister in UK
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave the position of deputy prime minister on Friday to David Lammy, a close friend of Vice President JD Vance.
Lammy will also be the new justice secretary after a one-year stint as foreign secretary. That position will be filled by the former home secretary, Yvette Cooper. She will be replaced by the previous justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, who joined a 2014 pro-Palestinian protest that forced a supermarket to close for several hours.
The Cabinet reorganization follows the resignation of Angela Rayner as deputy prime minister, housing secretary, and deputy Labour Party leader earlier Friday. Rayner quit after breaching the U.K. code of conduct for ministers by failing to pay adequate taxes on the purchase of her seaside apartment flat.
Lammy reported to his new posts at the prime minister’s residence on Downing Street, according to a video posted on social media.
Lammy has been particularly critical of Israel amid its war with Hamas. Although he supports the Jewish state’s right to exist, the Labour Party member has lambasted Israel for not allowing enough humanitarian aid into Gaza to relieve Palestinians of their hunger following a devastating famine.
Despite their political differences, Lammy and Vance have remained friends. They first met when Vance was in the Senate and reunited last month.
“Obviously, we come from sort of different political spectrums, but he was, he was kind enough to make time on a visit to D.C.,” Vance said of their first meeting while enjoying his family holiday trip to the U.K. “We got to know each other a little bit then and just kept on seeing each other. And our families enjoy each other’s company very much, which always helps.”
The two bond over their working-class backgrounds, “dysfunctional childhoods,” and Christian faith, Lammy told the Guardian in August. Vance once brought Lammy to Mass in Washington, D.C.
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During his visit to the U.K., Vance went fishing with Lammy at a lake outside the latter’s country estate. The leisure activity resulted in the threat of a $3,385 fine for Lammy because he didn’t have the correct licenses to fish. He was let go with a warning from the U.K.’s environmental watchdog.
The Trump administration has been strengthening its relationship with the U.K. In July, Trump visited Starmer after the U.K. agreed to strike a trade deal with the United States that reduces and eliminates certain tariffs between the two nations. Trump is expected to visit the U.K. again later this month, this time meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle from Sept. 17 to 19.
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