UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel backed US Vice President JD Vance’s right to discuss UK free speech, stressing her party’s commitment to free speech.
While speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Ms Patel addressed JD Vance’s comments on free speech in Britain and Europe.
What did Priti Patel say about JD Vance’s remarks on free speech?
During the interview, recalling her tenure as home secretary, Ms Patel said she worked to counter threats to free speech and cancel culture, highlighting instances of universities suppressing different groups and organizations.
She stated,
“As you know, we are as a party, we are longstanding advocates of free speech.”
When asked about whether Mr Vance should weigh in on UK values, she responded that she “disagrees” with the foundation of the question.
Ms Patel said,
“He is absolutely within his rights to give a speech with any content that he chooses. That’s absolutely right and proper.”
In response to a question about whether she supports JD Vance’s statement, she acknowledged that free speech remains a challenge worldwide, adding, “There’s always more that we must do to defend free speech.”
How did Priti Patel respond to Ukraine’s NATO future and Britain’s troop deployment?
When asked about the divide between Europe and the US on Ukraine’s NATO future, the shadow foreign secretary said, “All NATO countries” have backed Ukraine, and it is up to Ukraine and NATO to decide their future together.
She stated that the assistance provided by NATO nations has created a clear path for them to join, thanks to the long-standing and significant support offered.
Asked if backing Ukraine’s NATO membership would mean UK forces on Ukrainian ground, she replied, “We don’t know’ that this would happen.”
In response to the question of whether she would back sending British troops for peacekeeping in the event of a US-Russia agreement, she called it “pure speculation” and declined to respond.
Ms Patel stated,
“We don’t know, actually what a peace deal and the peace settlement would mean and what it would look like. I think, you know, we all have to be very calm and cool right now.”
What is Ms Patel’s stance on Boris Johnson’s political return?
Ms Patel was asked if former UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s recent social media posts regarding Ukraine and NATO indicated his intention to return to frontline politics. She firmly responded, “I am not even going to go there.”
She highlighted that Mr Johnson’s leadership when the war started played an essential role in shaping the UK’s position on Ukraine, so it is not unsurprising that he is expressing his perspective.
How did Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds respond to JD Vance’s comments on UK’s free speech?
During the same interview with Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Jonathan Reynolds expressed his opposition to the US Vice President’s views regarding the UK’s failure to protect fundamental values, including free speech.
He said that the UK and the US “don’t need to agree on everything,” adding, “I think that’s one area where we would disagree. I speak as a Christian myself. No one is subject to any kind of enforcement from the state for praying in this country.”
When questioned about whether British troops could participate in a peacekeeping role, Mr Reynolds confirmed that the UK will always support peace efforts.
What did JD Vance say about UK free speech at the Munich Security Conference?
While addressing the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2025, US Vice President JD Vance targeted the UK and Europe, alleging a drop in free speech and democratic values.
He stated,
“Perhaps most concerningly, I look to our very dear friends, the United Kingdom, where the backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular, in the crosshairs.”