Incoming Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy leaves Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo)
Jul 5, 2024 Story by: Editor
David Lammy, born to Guyanese immigrants and raised in a working-class London neighborhood, has been appointed as Britain’s chief diplomat. At 51, Lammy takes on this pivotal role during a time of considerable global challenges.
Lammy’s connections to the United States run deep. He spent summers with relatives in Brooklyn and Queens and earned a master’s degree from Harvard Law School. His relationship with Barack Obama began 20 years ago at a gathering of Black Harvard alumni. This year, Lammy had dinner with the former U.S. president during Obama’s visit to London. He also campaigned in Chicago for Obama during his first presidential bid and has established a strong network within the Democratic Party.
In an essay for Foreign Affairs magazine in April, Lammy emphasized his intent to mend ties with the European Union, which have been strained since Britain’s departure from the bloc. He also underscored the importance of supporting Ukraine. “Above all else, the United Kingdom must continue supporting Ukraine,” he wrote. “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, to which Lammy belongs, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to NATO and has pledged to increase military spending from 2.2 percent to 2.5 percent of GDP “as soon as we can.” Regarding the genocide in Gaza, the party advocates for an immediate cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages.
In an interview with The New York Times earlier this year, Lammy reflected on the historical significance of his appointment. He expressed a deep sense of responsibility and emotion, stating, “If I have the privilege of becoming foreign minister, I will be very conscious that 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.” Source: The New York Times
