JD Vance invited to West Country for fishing trip by MP
Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord also spoke about the ongoing flooding in Devon
Last updated 28th Jan 2026
JD Vance should visit the West Country for a fishing trip, a Liberal Democrat MP has told the Commons.
The US vice-president would see the impact of climate change if he came to Devon, Richard Foord suggested, as he warned his constituency has "disappeared under flood water".
Donald Trump officially withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, for the second time, on Tuesday.
Mr Foord's proposal came as David Lammy stood in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions, while he is on a visit to China.
The MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, urged the Deputy Prime Minister to invite Donald Trump's right-hand man to the South West, to which he responded: "I'll get a licence if I do."
He has previously avoided a fine for fishing without a licence with Mr Vance, referring himself to the Environment Agency over an incident in August last year.
On Wednesday, Mr Foord said: "The Met Office reports that climate change is driving wetter winters, yet the US withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement yesterday, on the same day that much of the West Country disappeared under flood water.
"My part of Devon is submerged and needs better flood defences.
"Would the Deputy Prime Minister like to invite his US counterpart on a fishing trip to the South West?"
Mr Lammy replied: "Well, I'll get a licence if I do.
"My sympathies are with his constituents affected by the recent floods.
"We're investing a record £10.5 billion into flood defences to protect 890,000 homes.
"The flood defences are inherited, of course, from the party opposite which is shameful, but we've committed to net zero and the Paris Agreement.
"It's good for lowering bills, good for jobs and investment in the UK."
The South West of England has been hit with heavy rain as a result of Storm Chandra and Storm Ingrid before it.
Mr Foord said there were reports of around 20 flooded properties in Devon and Cornwall, with that figure expected to rise.
A "danger to life" warning for severe flooding was issued for Ottery St Mary, in Devon, on Tuesday, after the River Otter reached its highest ever recorded level.