U.S. Vice President JD Vance warns Britain of leadership failures, hopes new PM will drive reforms

U.S. Vice President JD Vance told the Sunday Times that Britain has been “failed by its leadership for a long time.” He pointed to the rapid turnover of prime ministers – six in just a few years – and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent resignation after two years in office as evidence of deeper political problems. Vance said the country needs “significant structural change” and expressed hope that the next prime minister, whom he identified as likely Andy Burnham, will be able to deliver it.

Vance praised the United Kingdom as an “amazing place” with “the most amazing people in the world” outside the United States and reiterated the importance of the U.S.–U.K. “special relationship.” He pledged that Washington will work closely with whichever leader takes office to maintain strong cooperation on trade, investment and broader strategic issues.

The comments come amid ongoing debates in Britain over its political direction and the upcoming leadership contest, with Burnham widely seen as the front‑runner to become the country’s seventh prime minister in a decade.