The Embarrassment of David Lammy: A Closer Look at the UK's Foreign Secretary

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As the prospect of a second Trump presidency looms, the United Kingdom requires a Foreign Secretary capable of uniting rather than dividing. Recent remarks by Senator JD Vance of Ohio, the Republican nominee for vice-president, have compounded the difficulties for David Lammy, the current Foreign Secretary. Vance's comments last week suggested that the first Islamist state to obtain nuclear weapons was not Iran or Pakistan, but the UK. While these remarks were intended to be humorous and elicited laughter from his audience, they underscore the pressing need for Britain to prepare for a possible Trump 2.0 administration.

 

David Lammy's appointment to one of the four great offices of state was already controversial before the recent attempt on Donald Trump's life. Lammy's historic tweets, made while he was in opposition, have come under renewed scrutiny. These tweets raise serious questions about his judgment and his suitability for the role of Foreign Secretary, a position he has held for less than a fortnight. In 2019, Lammy mocked Trump for complaining about his treatment by political opponents, tweeting, “4 US presidents have been assassinated snowflake.” While Lammy might argue that he would not have made such a crass comment had he known Trump would become the target of a gunman, his remark highlights the importance of avoiding inflammatory statements, especially given America's history of presidential assassinations.

 

Lammy's political career has been marked by shifts in allegiance and inconsistent positions. Under the last Labour government, he supported Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including voting to renew Britain's independent nuclear deterrent. However, in opposition, he aligned with Jeremy Corbyn, despite Corbyn's known stance as a unilateralist and his critical views on the European Union. Despite Lammy's previous claims of being a staunch Remain supporter, he nominated Corbyn, the only anti-EU candidate, for Labour leader just before the EU membership referendum.

 

In 2016, Lammy's Christian faith supposedly influenced his decision to oppose the renewal of Trident, despite his previous voting record. Later, with Corbyn suspended and Starmer leading Labour, Lammy once again supported retaining Trident. In 2017, he praised Corbyn’s speech at the Labour conference as “bloody brilliant” and predicted Corbyn’s ascent to Number 10. By 2021, Lammy had changed his tune, expressing regret for nominating Corbyn and denying he ever believed Corbyn would become prime minister.

 

Lammy’s past remarks about Trump further underscore his questionable judgment. Describing Trump as a “neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath” and a “tyrant in a toupée” may have won him praise from Labour activists but were not the words of a serious politician or a statesman, especially one destined for the role of Foreign Secretary. Lammy has claimed to count Senator Vance as a friend, praising Vance’s autobiographical work, “Hillbilly Elegy,” and drawing parallels with his own upbringing in London. However, any perceived friendship with Vance would likely take a back seat to Vance's loyalty to Trump.

 

Should Trump and Vance triumph in the upcoming election, it would present significant challenges for NATO and Ukraine. The Foreign Office would need to deploy all its diplomatic skills to protect British interests in a new Trump era. Yet, Keir Starmer, aware of the possibility that Trump could become president again, appointed Lammy, who had previously labeled Trump a neo-Nazi.

 

Judgment in leadership is crucial. Leaders must measure their words and criticism carefully, even at the risk of disappointing their supporters. Some responsibilities transcend personal media profiles. If the Foreign Secretary fails to grasp this, Britain could face severe repercussions.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-07-18

 

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[Red Forever]

Another disjointed word salad from the Torygraph.

Your team lost. Get over it!

[mfd101]

If every politician had to resign on the basis of what he said 5 or 10 years, ago, there wouldn't be any politicians left.

[JonnyF]

Lammy is the new Abbott. A complete imbecile. A real nasty piece of work masquerading as a #bekind liberal.

 

Their mask always slips. Lammy's has on several occasions. 

[Homburg]

The Brits will get (at least) 5 years of what they voted for. I doubt that they, or indeed the rest of the civilised world, will enjoy that.

[brewsterbudgen]

Good grief - it's a Daily Telegraph article!  Why would anyone take what they write seriously?

[John Drake]

2 hours ago, Homburg said:

The Brits will get (at least) 5 years of what they voted for. I doubt that they, or indeed the rest of the civilised world, will enjoy that.

 

Rest of the world, civilized or not, doesn't care.

[hotandsticky]

9 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Rest of the world, civilized or not, doesn't care.

 

 

Seems that they care enough to post about it on a Thailand internet forum.

[alien365]

I've unfortunately crossed paths with Lammy before and he is a bully. It's funny how when something goes wrong, he throws good practice out of the window and starts grandstanding. He expects to get things his way by shouting the loudest, like a child. 

[billd766]

14 hours ago, mfd101 said:

If every politician had to resign on the basis of what he said 5 or 10 years, ago, there wouldn't be any politicians left.

Now there is an interesting and promising thought.