Investing.com — U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Britain has been “failed by its leadership for a long time,” expressing hope that the country’s next prime minister will deliver the structural reforms voters are seeking after years of political instability, Reuters reported.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Vance pointed to the UK’s rapid turnover of prime ministers as evidence of deeper problems in British politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced last month that he would step down after two years in office, paving the way for Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade.
Labour lawmaker Andy Burnham is widely expected to succeed Starmer after emerging as the only candidate to replace the outgoing leader.
“What I see is six prime ministers in the last few years,” Vance said. “That says to me that something is very broken about British politics and that people are really crying out for significant structural change.”
He added that he hoped Burnham, or whoever ultimately becomes prime minister, would be able to “get Britain back on track.”
Despite political changes in London, Vance emphasized the importance of the long-standing relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. He described Britain as “an amazing place” and said Washington would continue working closely with the country’s next leader.
The comments follow a generally cooperative relationship between Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump, despite disagreements on issues including Iran, Gaza and Ukraine. The two governments also reached trade and investment agreements during Starmer’s tenure.
After Starmer announced his resignation, Trump described him as a “lovely man” and a “friend,” though he criticized the outgoing prime minister’s handling of immigration and energy policy.
Trump has also characterized Burnham as “extremely liberal” and questioned whether a future Labour government would support additional North Sea oil and gas development.