About 100 people, mostly women, gathered in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday to protest against US Vice-President JD Vance, who is holidaying nearby. The 'not welcome' party, organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, featured placards criticising Vance's policies and remarks.
Sue Moon, a therapist from Chipping Norton, carried a placard referencing Vance's 'childless cat ladies' comment. 'He's simply not welcome here,' she said. Natasha Phillips, who travelled from Bath, held a sign saying: 'JD Vance – the guy who bullied a war hero from the comfort of his couch,' referring to his treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Chris Tatton, a former councillor, called Vance's ambush of Zelenskyy 'disgraceful'. Steve Akers, a retired union organiser, blamed the US government for the situation in Gaza. Other placards addressed local issues, such as 'Rolling hills. Not rolling back climate change'.
The protest also featured a Colin the Caterpillar cake with Vance's face, and a boy wore a Canadian-themed T-shirt. Jeremy Clarkson, who lives nearby, shared a sarcastic video on Instagram, writing: 'Utter chaos caused by Vance. How will we ever manage?'
Vance is believed to be staying at an 18th-century manor house owned by the Hornby family, friends of David Cameron. The protest highlighted local concerns about the area becoming a bolt-hole for the rich, with house prices soaring and services stretched.
