Residents of an English town demonstrate against the planned holiday celebrated by JD Vance
In the tranquil English countryside of the Cotswolds, a surprising stir was caused last month as U.S. Vice President JD Vance began his holiday in the quiet village of Dean and nearby Charlbury. Dozens of protesters gathered, displaying banners, cakes, and signs, to express that Vance was "not welcome" in the area [1][2][3].
The protests were fuelled by local residents and activists who opposed Vance's political persona and the symbolism of a high-profile U.S. figure holidaying in a small English rural community. The demonstrations served as a form of grassroots political activism, highlighting disagreement with Vance's policies and past comments, including his criticism of UK social policies [3][4].
Victoria Dawson, an artist from nearby Witney, was among those protesting against Vance, viewing him as immoral and causing damage around the world. Phil Ball, a local resident and cameraman, found the 20-car motorcade and road closures to the entire village disruptive [5].
The presence of police and security detail in the Cotswolds, including in Dean, was due to Vance's visit to the area. The heightened security measures caused disruptions to the local residents' daily lives, with 75-year-old Charlbury resident Lou Johnson stating that they wanted to give Vance the same welcome he gave to Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Washington in February [6].
Co-organiser Jake Atkinson from the Stop Trump Coalition stated that the people of the Cotswolds were demonstrating to express that JD Vance is not welcome. Atkinson cited US President Donald Trump's policies on immigration and the war in Gaza as reasons for the local anger [7].
The protests were not just limited to the Cotswolds. Reports suggest that Vance will later visit Scotland, where Trump spent five days at his golf resorts last month [8]. The anti-Trump coalition plans to also protest against Trump, who is due for a state visit in the UK in September.
Johnson, in a statement, asserted that the people of the Cotswolds stand up for what they believe in, even in a seemingly gentle village [9]. The events in the Cotswolds became nationally notable for disrupting the quiet village, with local authorities managing roadblocks and police presence amid the unrest [1].
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-58192273 [2] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/10/jd-vance-protests-cotswolds-uk [3] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jd-vance-protest-cotswolds-uk-b2172493.html [4] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jd-vance-protest-in-cotswolds-uk-h6gb7x8d6 [5] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11283533/JD-Vance-protest-cotswolds-village-locals-slam-security-measures.html [6] https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18475404/jd-vance-protest-cotswolds-uk-locals-welcome/ [7] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jd-vance-protest-in-cotswolds-uk-h6gb7x8d6 [8] https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/jd-vance-to-visit-scotland-after-protests-in-cotswolds-3953482 [9] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/10/jd-vance-protest-cotswolds-uk
- The protests against JD Vance in the Cotswolds were a manifestation of grassroots political activism, expressing disagreement with his policies and past comments, including his critique of UK social policies and his associations with controversial figures in US politics, such as President Donald Trump.
- The anti-immigration stance and international conflicts associated with US politics have led to concerns, as demonstrated by the public demonstrations against JD Vance in the English countryside, which had a wider resonance beyond the local community, as similar protests were anticipated against President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to Scotland.
