JD Vance is right that London doesn't feel English — it's always been more than that

If you grew up and spent most of your schooling years in Ohio, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by London. Although it's physically smaller, it has a population similar to Ohio's. Established by ambitious Italians two millennia ago, this city has plenty to be proud of.

Ohio's capital bears the name of a remarkable adventurer from history, yet there's not much in Columbus that captures the expansive vision and grand aspirations of this 15th-century explorer.

I visited the area once as a reporter to create a television segment about fast food. Just like in many places around the world, there were kind people leading good lives. However, I found that many neighborhoods and streets in London provide much more than what that so-called city has to offer.

London, naturally, had an early advantage and several significant benefits. The entire world synchronizes its clocks based on Greenwich Mean Time. Our geographical location enables us to conduct business across various time zones. English has established itself as the primary language for international business, diplomacy, and popular culture (apologies, Macron). Our restaurants, shops, theaters, museums, galleries, and universities set the benchmark for others globally, and despite Brexit, our financial sector continues to be unparalleled. As a certain former Mayor often remarked, we export tea to China, bicycles to the Netherlands, and cakes to France.

A key factor in London’s ongoing success and dominance is its ability to attract some of the most ambitious and talented individuals from around the world. Whether you're mixing drinks, trading stocks, conducting surgeries, or playing football, you're up against the finest in the field. This competitive environment can make living in the city challenging, but it’s this very challenge that has allowed London to thrive for many years. If we were to close ourselves off and freeze the city in a so-called idealized past, as suggested by JD Vance, it would undermine everything that has made London great. Stagnation has never been beneficial for progress.

Like many Londoners today, I wasn't originally from this city. For me, it was just a 160-mile journey up the M4, but no matter where you come from, London has a strong history of welcoming newcomers and offering opportunities for advancement. My father-in-law relocated from Mumbai, made London his home, and now has a whole set of grandchildren whose main connections and influences are clearly far from southern India.

It brings us pride that our current Mayor is the son of a Pakistani bus driver.

There are many others, but I've chosen these because I believe JD Vance's perspective is influenced more by his impression of London than by its actual appearance. When he talks about what it means to look "English," it seems to be closely tied to skin color. Watching him alongside Donald Trump recently, both dressed in matching blue suits, white shirts, and red ties, I couldn't help but think about how a nation founded by immigrants could present such a limited viewpoint. It's almost amusing to hear him lecture about genuine diversity, especially when considering the lack of character in many Midwestern cities like Columbus and the bland, average fast food chains that have spread around the globe.

To be fair to JD Vance, I can understand that the sense of national identity for many people in London might be more complex than it is for his typical voter in Ohio. For instance, I’m not English; I’m Welsh. However, I also identify as a Londoner, and since London is the capital of England, that makes me part of that identity. The fact that London attracts top professionals in finance, the arts, hospitality, and more doesn’t diminish its English character. Instead, it enhances its status as a global city, potentially one of the finest in the world.

That doesn’t mean London isn’t facing significant problems right now. This week’s budget may push many of our wealth creators to relocate abroad. Small businesses, which are vital to the economy, will find it tough to cope with the new regulations and heavy taxes. The streets are not safe enough, getting around can be quite difficult, and the living expenses here are overwhelming. Additionally, we need to stand firmer in our values. Tolerance should not be one-sided; we can’t just welcome people who disregard the very principles and traditions that brought them here in the first place. However, that doesn’t excuse the recent criticism from the vice presidential candidate regarding the appearance and atmosphere of London.

It’s truly a point of pride that our current Mayor is the son of a Pakistani bus driver. However, I do wish he handled his role more effectively. That's why I was shocked when JD Vance made a derogatory comment a few months ago, referring to the U.K. as the first “truly Islamist country to acquire a nuclear weapon.” While it’s common for political figures to engage in jabs during election season, the fact that this individual could soon become the American vice president is concerning. He would hold a significant position within NATO, an organization that has been crucial for our stability and security for many years. Although our "special relationship" with the U.S. can sometimes feel exaggerated or forced, it’s deeply unsettling to hear someone who may soon be close to the Oval Office speaking about London in such a misguided way.

Guto Harri previously served as the head of communications at City Hall.