David Lammy, 51, a son of Guyanese immigrants who grew up in working-class London, has been appointed as Britain’s chief diplomat, taking the lead on British foreign policy amidst significant challenges.
Mr. Lammy has strong ties to the United States, having spent summers with relatives in Brooklyn and Queens, and earning a master’s degree at Harvard Law School. He has a longstanding relationship with former U.S. President Barack Obama, having met him 20 years ago at a gathering of Black Harvard alumni. This year, Mr. Lammy had dinner with Mr. Obama during his visit to London. He actively supported Mr. Obama’s first presidential campaign by canvassing in Chicago, and has built a robust network of contacts within the Democratic Party.
In an essay published in Foreign Affairs magazine in April, Mr. Lammy outlined his priorities, emphasizing the need to rebuild ties with the European Union and expressing strong support for Ukraine. He stated, “Above all else, the United Kingdom must continue supporting Ukraine. The future of European security depends on the outcome of the war there, and the British government must leave the Kremlin with no doubt that it will support Kyiv for as long as it takes to achieve victory.”
The Labour Party has underlined its unwavering commitment to NATO and plans to increase military spending from 2.2 percent to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product at the earliest opportunity. Regarding the conflict in Gaza, the party advocates for an immediate cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages being held there.
In an interview with The New York Times earlier this year, Mr. Lammy expressed his awareness of the historic significance of his role, stating, “I’ll be the first — it almost makes me emotional as I say it — the first foreign secretary who is the descendant of enslaved people.”
