US vice-president to spend time in England’s scenic countryside before taking his views north of the border — and they may not go down smoothly
It’s a long way from the Appalachian hollers to the honey-hued villages of Gloucestershire, but JD Vance seems ready for the shift in scenery. The US vice-president is set to holiday with his family in the Cotswolds next month — a region better known for its Range Rovers and posh weekenders than political firestorms.
Vance, whose rise from Rust Belt roots to political stardom has drawn both admiration and controversy, won’t be lying low for long. His summer itinerary includes a visit to London and a potentially more contentious stop in Scotland — a country whose government he’s publicly rebuked more than once.
From pickup trucks to Chipping Norton
Vance, his wife Usha, and their three children are expected to rent a property in the Cotswolds in early August, shortly after President Donald Trump wraps up his own trip to Scotland.
The VP’s British escape signals a temporary pause in Washington’s political chaos. But the choice of destination speaks volumes too. The Cotswolds — long a playground for political insiders, media elites, and well-heeled Londoners — is hardly the heartland Vance once championed in Hillbilly Elegy.
It’s also no stranger to powerful visitors:
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Former UK PM David Cameron owns a home nearby.
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Jeremy Clarkson’s farm has become a tourist magnet.
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Hollywood actors and European royals frequent the area.
In short, it’s a world away from Appalachia, though it offers the kind of seclusion and luxury that suits a stateside VIP.
London on the list — despite earlier jabs
After his countryside retreat, Vance is expected to spend time in London — a city he’s not always spoken fondly of. Just before last year’s election, he famously claimed the capital was “not English any more,” drawing widespread backlash.
That comment raised eyebrows both in the UK and among US diplomats. It also added to growing concerns that Trump-era figures, including Vance, are adopting increasingly nativist rhetoric abroad.
Yet here he comes, seemingly ready to enjoy its pubs, parks, and perhaps even some soft power diplomacy.
One sentence here.
Despite past criticism, there’s no indication the London leg of his trip will include official meetings.
The Scottish stop that might not be so welcoming
Where things could get rocky is Scotland. The political mood there? Frosty at best. Anti-Trump sentiment has run high for years, and Vance’s recent comments haven’t helped.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, he took direct aim at the Scottish government’s abortion policy, accusing it of criminalizing private prayer and encouraging citizens to inform on their neighbours. The claim? That the government warned residents near abortion clinics they might be breaking the law even within their own homes.
The Scottish Government swiftly pushed back. Their spokesperson flatly denied Vance’s allegations, saying no such letters exist and that “private prayer at home is not prohibited.” The actual policy involves 200-metre “safe access zones” around abortion clinics, aimed at preventing harassment — not policing private thoughts.
Still, Vance’s remarks hit a nerve. And in a country where reproductive rights and civil liberties are politically sensitive, it’s unlikely his arrival will go unnoticed.
What Vance said — and what’s actually happening
There’s been growing friction between Vance’s public statements and the facts on the ground in the UK. Let’s break it down in a simple comparison table:
| Vance’s Claim | Reality According to UK Officials |
|---|---|
| Citizens warned they could break law for praying at home near abortion zones | No such warnings exist, say Scottish authorities |
| Government encouraging neighbours to report each other for “thought crimes” | No evidence of surveillance or reporting mechanisms |
| Free speech is “in retreat” in Britain | UK officials say laws balance speech with public safety |
Just one sentence here to break up the rhythm.
These claims feed into a broader narrative Vance has been pushing — that Western European democracies are allegedly suppressing dissent and bowing to political correctness. But critics argue it’s a selective reading of events, tailored more for headlines than diplomacy.
The American tourist effect
Interestingly, Vance’s UK holiday comes as British tourism to the US has taken a hit. Post-pandemic travel was supposed to bounce back fast, but policies and public attitudes under Trump have chilled transatlantic interest.
Last year, UK travel to the US was down nearly 15% compared to 2019, according to VisitBritain. Industry insiders blame everything from visa delays to cultural shifts. Trump’s return to the White House — should it happen in November — is unlikely to reverse the trend.
Meanwhile, the UK remains a magnet for American tourists:
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The Cotswolds are booming, with bookings up 22% year-on-year.
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Edinburgh Fringe and Highland routes expect high footfall this August.
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Luxury rural rentals are increasingly snapped up by high-net-worth Americans.
So while British tourists are hesitating to cross the pond, Americans like Vance are doing just fine this side of the Atlantic.
Politics in the suitcase
Let’s not kid ourselves — this is more than just a holiday. Every move Vance makes abroad carries political weight. His visit might not be “official,” but it comes at a delicate moment for UK-US relations, especially under the lens of a possible second Trump administration.
And while the vice-president may be enjoying a pint in a Cotswold garden or watching the changing of the guard in London, his past remarks are still echoing across the political landscape. Whether he’ll address those tensions while in Scotland remains to be seen.
Or maybe, he’ll just keep his head down, enjoy the scones, and hope the headlines don’t follow him too closely.
Category: News
UK Politics, US Politics, International Relations
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