Labour MP Offers US Vice President JD Vance Personal Tour Of Constituency
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A Labour MP, whose constituency JD Vance is visiting on holiday, has offered to give the United States Vice President a tour of his area.
Sean Woodcock, the Labour MP for Banbury, which includes some of the Cotswolds, said that while he does not "necessarily share" Vance's political views, he was keen to show him around the constituency.
He was particularly keen to take Vance to the Spencer Stadium, home of local lower-league football club Banbury United.
“I am always glad when people want to look at my beautiful constituency, the hamlets, the towns, and villages. Hopefully [Vance] can see how wonderful it is.
“I hope he can enjoy lots that is on offer. We are not just a postcard; many people live and work here. My message to anyone is to respect that," he told PoliticsHome.
The MP said that he had received "a few complaints" from locals about Vance's visit.
However, he stressed that "the Vice President of the US is an important partner and the US is an important ally, and we must deal with him and treat him accordingly."
Vance, who serves as President Donald Trump's second-in-command, is visiting the Cotswolds in the south of England on a personal holiday with his wife and family.
He has met a series of British political figures on his trip to the UK, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, with whom he went fishing, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
He also invited former Apprentice contestant Tom Skinner to a barbecue. "Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh," Skinner posted on X.
Vance is not expected to meet Tory leader Kemi Badenoch during his trip. A Conservative party spokesperson said that the Leader of the Opposition had struggled to find time in her diary.
Labour MP Woodcock, who was elected at last year's general election, said his diary "can be adjusted accordingly" to meet Vance and give him a tour of the area.
"The area where Vance is staying is touristy," he said. "But the constituency as a whole has got high-end mechanical engineering businesses, life sciences. We have a varied economy."
