The title on my thumbnail today is, “Fishing for Peace.” This came after seeing a tweet noting that J.D. Vance would be staying with David Lammy on a UK family holiday — “that’s a tough gig,” the tweet said. I even commented at the time that I couldn’t imagine what they would talk about, as I’ve never heard David Lammy say anything vaguely intelligent. That was my initial reaction, honestly spoken.
What Happened at Chevening
Reports say US Vice President J.D. Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy spent a weekend of diplomacy and fishing in Sevenoaks, Kent. They met at Chevening House — a state-owned manor that foreign secretaries and their families can use for holidays. Despite standing on opposite sides of the political spectrum, they share a public Christian faith and apparently got on well.
Faith as Common Ground
J.D. Vance converted to Catholicism as an adult, and David Lammy has publicly professed his Christian faith. During Lammy’s visit to Washington, D.C., in March, the pair attended Mass together. On a separate occasion in Rome, Lammy and Angela Rayner were hosted by Vance for drinks. Lammy later recalled to the Guardian that he felt Vance completely related to him and Angela, calling it a wonderful hour and a half — and even said he was the shiest of the three. These touches suggest an authentic personal rapport beyond optics.
Similar Roots, Different Politics
Both men come from working-class backgrounds and experienced difficult childhoods. In his autobiography, Vance writes about being raised by his Christian grandmother while his father was absent and his mother battled addiction. Lammy has said he has had no contact with his father since his parents divorced during his teens. Broken families are always sad to hear about — but these experiences can also shape convictions and empathy.
Where They May Diverge
Shared faith doesn’t erase policy differences. For example, Lammy has spoken about a two-state solution regarding Israel and Palestine — something I don’t see as biblically supported. They also appear to differ on aspects of Ukraine policy, with headlines noting Lammy’s view that a ceasefire should be the first step toward a peace plan. They clearly won’t agree on everything, and that’s to be expected.
On a different but related note, if you’re interested in how political decisions can affect everyday life and freedom, you might also like my post on Labour’s War on Allotments, which explores how policy can undermine community values and physical well-being.
What the Bible Says About Being Peacemakers
As a Christian, I wanted to ground this in Scripture. Here are the verses I shared in the video (NKJV):
- Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”
- Romans 12:18 — “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
- Hebrews 12:14 — “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
- James 3:18 — “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 — “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
- Psalm 34:14 — “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”
We won’t always agree. But as far as it depends on us, we should live peaceably. When we’re constantly arguing, people won’t see the Spirit of God in us. Peace is something we actively pursue and plant.
The Good News
Perhaps you’re watching and you’re not a Christian, and the world feels mad right now. There is hope. Jesus died a painful death on the cross so we could receive the gift of eternal life and freedom from sin. All we need to do is believe in Him, repent of our sins, and turn away from our old life to begin a new life in Christ.
If you want to invite Jesus into your life, here is a simple prayer you can pray:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins and I ask You today to take over complete control of every aspect of my life.” Amen.
If you prayed that sincerely, the born-again Spirit can come and live within you. Eternal life is a gift — and there’s so much more God has for you.
Watch the Video
I will embed the video here once published.
Want More? Recommended Reading
- Labour’s War on Allotments — Insights on how community, policy, and faith intersect in everyday life.
- Do We Really Still Have Freedom of Speech in the UK? — A look at faith, liberty, and free expression in our changing society.
- Is Britain Trading the Bible for Sharia? — Reflections on maintaining Christian foundations in modern governance.
Join the Conversation
Do you think faith can genuinely bridge political divides? Have your say in the comments.
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