Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has publicly rejected remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who suggested that immigration is leading to the erosion of British civilization. Johnson described Vance's comments as "b******s" during a Sky News interview.
Johnson, who previously served as the Mayor of London, drew a parallel between the demographic makeup of London and New York City. He stated that the percentage of foreign-born residents in New York is "virtually identical" to that of London. Citing statistics, he noted that approximately 40% of the UK's population was born abroad, while around 41% of London residents were born outside the UK according to the 2021 census. In contrast, about 37% of New Yorkers are foreign-born.
Vance, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, has been a vocal critic of European immigration policies. He has previously warned that Europe is on the brink of "civilisational suicide." In comments made around the U.S. Independence Day celebrations, Vance expressed affection for Britain but described the country as "very broken."
Last month, Vance linked the murder of Henry Nowak to immigration, stating that such an event would not have occurred if European elites had resisted the "mass invasion of migrants." These remarks drew criticism from Downing Street, which accused unspecified individuals of attempting to interfere in British democracy and sow division.
In May, Vance also voiced support for anti-immigration activists, including those associated with Tommy Robinson, encouraging them to "keep on going" and prepare for "the battle of Britain."
During a White House press briefing, Vance articulated a broader critique, suggesting that Western nations are pursuing prosperity by admitting large numbers of "unvetted people." He stated, "We simply reject that idea." He encouraged those in the UK who share this view to persist, asserting, "It's OK to want to defend your culture. It's OK to want to live in a safe neighborhood."
This rhetoric has been a consistent theme for Vance, including his address at the Munich Security Conference last year, where he discussed Europe's immigration policies in terms of "floodgates" and the potential erosion of democratic values.
In his interview with Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Johnson also commented that Britain had been "far too limp wristed" in enforcing conformity to its ideals and basic norms of behavior. He attributed this partly to political correctness and cited unacceptable situations such as "grooming gangs" and communities where women do not speak English.