This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/20/jd-vance-to-spend-summer-family-holiday-in-the-cotswolds
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
JD Vance to spend summer family holiday in the Cotswolds | JD Vance to spend summer family holiday in the Cotswolds |
(30 minutes later) | |
US vice-president also plans to visit London and Scotland next month | US vice-president also plans to visit London and Scotland next month |
He made his name with a memoir set among the hillbillies of the rugged Appalachians – yet it seems JD Vance now favours altogether more gentle hills. | He made his name with a memoir set among the hillbillies of the rugged Appalachians – yet it seems JD Vance now favours altogether more gentle hills. |
For his family’s holiday this year the US vice-president is understood to have chosen the Cotswolds, where Land Rovers outnumber pickup trucks. | For his family’s holiday this year the US vice-president is understood to have chosen the Cotswolds, where Land Rovers outnumber pickup trucks. |
Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three young children are expected next month to rent a property in the region – an increasingly popular choice for wealthy tourists – soon after Donald Trump, the US president, finishes a stay in Scotland. | Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three young children are expected next month to rent a property in the region – an increasingly popular choice for wealthy tourists – soon after Donald Trump, the US president, finishes a stay in Scotland. |
Earlier in August, Vance and his family are expected to visit London, despite the vice-president having said – shortly before last year’s presidential election – that the city was “not English any more.” | Earlier in August, Vance and his family are expected to visit London, despite the vice-president having said – shortly before last year’s presidential election – that the city was “not English any more.” |
In February, Vance lashed out at European governments – including that of the UK – accusing political leaders of suppressing free speech, failing to halt illegal migration and running in fear from voters. | In February, Vance lashed out at European governments – including that of the UK – accusing political leaders of suppressing free speech, failing to halt illegal migration and running in fear from voters. |
“In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat,” he told the Munich Security Conference, listing a string of cases he claimed were evidence. Britain was singled out for arresting a man praying near an abortion clinic. | “In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat,” he told the Munich Security Conference, listing a string of cases he claimed were evidence. Britain was singled out for arresting a man praying near an abortion clinic. |
But while Vance might enjoy the Cotswolds – home to the Chipping Norton set whose ranks include David Cameron and Jeremy Clarkson – a different reception could await when he later travels on to Scotland, which is home to anti-Trump sentiment. | |
In his Munich speech, Vance hit out at the Scottish government over abortion rights, saying it was distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay “within so-called safe access zones”, warning them that “even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law”. | |
He added: “The government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime in Britain and across Europe.” | He added: “The government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime in Britain and across Europe.” |
A spokesperson for the Scottish government said Vance’s claim was inaccurate. It appeared to be a reference to the introduction of safe access zones within 200 metres of abortion clinics, banning any form of harassment. | A spokesperson for the Scottish government said Vance’s claim was inaccurate. It appeared to be a reference to the introduction of safe access zones within 200 metres of abortion clinics, banning any form of harassment. |
“Private prayer at home is not prohibited within safe access zones and no letter has ever suggested it was,” added the spokesperson. | “Private prayer at home is not prohibited within safe access zones and no letter has ever suggested it was,” added the spokesperson. |
Vance’s trip to the UK comes at a time when tourist traffic going in the opposite direction has plummeted against the backdrop of Trump’s policies and rhetoric. | Vance’s trip to the UK comes at a time when tourist traffic going in the opposite direction has plummeted against the backdrop of Trump’s policies and rhetoric. |
The number of UK residents visiting the US was down 14.3% in March compared with the same month in 2024, official figures showed. However, Britons continue to make up the largest number of overseas visitors to the US. | The number of UK residents visiting the US was down 14.3% in March compared with the same month in 2024, official figures showed. However, Britons continue to make up the largest number of overseas visitors to the US. |