US Vice-President JD Vance is set to spend an extended summer holiday in the Cotswolds, prompting questions about his frequent time off. In the past five months, Vance has taken a skiing trip, a family visit to Disneyland, and a kayaking excursion in Ohio. Critics have dubbed him 'Vacay Vance' for his apparent preference for leisure over public duties.
Vance's choice of the Cotswolds may be strategic, as the area is known for its affluent and often controversial residents. He is unlikely to be the most disliked person in the village, given the presence of figures like Jeremy Clarkson, who once called Vance a 'bearded God-botherer' and 'twat'. The Vance family will stay in an 18th-century manor house with six acres of grounds, including a tennis court.
During his stay, Vance is expected to visit Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening, the official country residence. Lammy has previously emphasised their shared Christian faith. However, Vance's past holidays have been marred by protests, including at a Vermont ski resort and Disneyland, where he faced boos and criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom over immigration raids.
The Cotswolds retreat comes amid controversy over Vance's previous holiday, where his Secret Service team reportedly altered a lake's outflow in Ohio to create ideal kayaking conditions. In Britain, such river manipulation is unlikely, but Vance may encounter sewage issues due to water company practices.
