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

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

Donald Trump has been launching a steady stream of attacks on the UK prime minister, while Sir Keir Starmer has responded with his own public critiques of the U.S. leader. Yet, the dynamic between their deputies shows no signs of waning, suggesting a growing bond.

As justice secretary, David Lammy frequently manages England and Wales’ prison system, but he also serves as deputy prime minister. He recently traveled to Washington for meetings with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. Both encounters spanned approximately 45 minutes, centering on conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

One might anticipate the foreign secretary, a role Lammy previously held before Yvette Cooper took over, to be present. However, the government is capitalizing on Lammy’s rapport with the vice-president instead. Their unexpected camaraderie started when Lammy was an opposition member and Vance had just entered the U.S. Senate. Last summer, Vance and his family spent time at Lammy’s Chevening estate in Kent during their UK trip.

“Great to catch up with my friend JD Vance today in DC following his talks in Pakistan,” Lammy wrote on X. Above a picture of the two men shaking hands, he added: “It is vital that the ceasefire continues and we get shipping flowing freely again through the Straits of Hormuz. We continue to work together towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer expressed frustration toward both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the same sentence, stating he was “tired of families nationwide experiencing fluctuating bills due to actions by either Putin or Trump.” The prime minister has also said the UK will not be getting involved in America’s blockade of Iranian ports.

Despite Trump’s persistent public barbs, including calling Starmer “not Winston Churchill,” the focus remains on the deputies’ collaboration. Little has been shared about the specifics of Lammy and Vance’s discussions, but the policy contrasts between the two governments are evident. From Downing Street’s perspective, it’s advantageous that the prime minister’s deputy maintains a friendly rapport with the president’s counterpart. While their bond remains warm, the relationship between the leaders appears frosty.