LONDON (Diya TV) — Labour ministers in the UK are pushing back against a recent claim by Donald Trump’s new running mate, JD Vance, suggesting the UK is an “Islamist country” with nuclear capabilities. Vance, the Republican Vice Presidential nominee, described Britain under the new Labour government as the world’s first “truly Islamist country” to have a nuclear weapon. This assertion has ruffled feathers among Labour ministers, who have been in office for less than two weeks and are eager to foster positive relations with both Trump and Vance.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner addressed Vance’s remarks on ITV, saying, “Look, I don’t recognize that characterization. I’m very proud of the election success that Labour had recently. I think he has said quite a lot of fruity things in the past as well.” Rayner dismissed Vance’s comments and emphasized Labour’s commitment to governing for all of Britain and working with international allies.
Vance’s statement came just days before his official nomination as Trump’s Vice Presidential candidate. At the National Conservatism Conference, Vance, a junior senator from Ohio, discussed nuclear proliferation and speculated which country might become the first “truly Islamist country” with a nuclear weapon. He concluded that it could be the UK, following Labour’s recent electoral victory.
Labour, which won the July 4th UK election in a landslide, rejected Vance’s remarks. James Murray, a junior Treasury minister, told Times Radio that he didn’t “really know what [Vance] meant by that.” Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has been working to build relationships with Trump’s allies, including Vance, finds the comments particularly concerning. Lammy had previously described Vance as a “friend” after multiple meetings and praised his book “Hillbilly Elegy” for its portrayal of working-class life and strong faith.
Trump’s announcement of Vance as his running mate has raised eyebrows among EU officials, who are wary of Vance’s isolationist stance and what it might mean for US support of Ukraine. Vance has previously suggested that the West cannot afford to continue arming Ukraine, a position that worries many in Brussels.
In a conference speech, Vance claimed that Britain might be the first “truly Islamist country” with nuclear weapons, drawing laughter from the audience. Rayner, however, played down the comments, stating that Vance has a history of making “fruity” remarks and emphasizing Labour’s focus on governing and international cooperation.
Senior Labour figures, including Rayner and Murray, have dismissed Vance’s jibe, while others, like Andrew Bowie, shadow veterans minister, called the comments offensive. Despite their differences, Labour ministers are committed to working with the US, regardless of the election outcome. “The US is a key ally of ours, and if the American people decide who their president and vice president is, then we will work with them, of course we will,” Rayner said.
Lammy, who has previously been critical of Trump, now suggests that the US and UK must find ways to collaborate under a potential Trump administration. Vance, once a harsh critic of Trump, has become a prominent supporter and a key figure in the New Right movement, backing Trump’s policies and challenging Washington’s support for Ukraine.
