Protests Against VP JD Vance During UK Holiday
Activists clad in Palestinian-colored keffiyehs gathered to protest against U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is currently vacationing in the rural Cotswolds of the UK. While there, he’s been meeting with British political figures, including Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick.
About “60 or so” members of the group “Stop the Trump Union” expressed their discontent during the demonstration. It appears that anger over President Donald Trump’s policies regarding Israel and Gaza fueled much of the protest. Surprisingly, feelings toward Trump’s stance on immigration also resonated, despite the blatant “go home” messages directed at Vance.
Protest signs varied widely, with messages such as “unwelcome,” “sod off,” and even, humorously, mentioning “Cotswold childless cat women go home.” There were also signs asserting that “VDs are more welcome” and implying that protesting wasn’t as luxurious as it could have been.
Vance had recently posted memes on social media that may have contributed to the protest’s vibe—organizers probably thought he’d dislike the print-style “Vance-Baby” depiction. The group had even gone so far as to hire mobile video signs to display these memes during the event.
Interestingly, former Vice President Kamala Harris also visited the same town last month but managed to avoid any protest during her stop at a local pub.
The “Trump Coalition,” which has been active in the UK since at least 2017, uses Trump’s presence as a springboard for various left-leaning causes. This ongoing campaign has included numerous anti-Trump events, like the infamous “Trump Baby” balloon and even calls to demolish statues associated with historical figures now viewed as problematic.
Currently, in 2025, the narrative surrounding Palestine and the “Stop the Trump Union” continues to gain traction with some noticeable symbols, particularly the red, green, and black keffiyeh now widely recognized at protests.
While on vacation, Vance has held meetings with several British leaders. Over the weekend, he discussed issues with Labour’s David Lammy at a historic state-owned mansion before moving to another rental mansion for more exclusive gatherings.
Vance’s meeting schedule included a sit-down with Robert Jenrick, who leads the British Conservative Party. This party currently grapples with maintaining relevance due to past challenges surrounding border control and declining popularity. They still hold the official opposition status, though.
During this time, Jenrick has been vocal in the media regarding rising crime in London and the socioeconomic impacts of large migrations on youth.
Interestingly, there’s been no meeting between Vance and Kemi Badenoch, the appointed Conservative leader, which raises some eyebrows.
A spokesperson confirmed that Vance is expected to meet with Nigel Farage, a long-time ally of Trump who was the first non-American politician to meet him after the 2016 election.
On a lighter note, Thomas Skinner, who accounts for entertaining interaction with Vance, mentioned they had a great evening filled with barbecues and beers. Skinner referred to Vance as a “proper gentleman,” displaying a more personal connection amidst the political discourse.
