Son of Guyanese immigrants now UK’s new Foreign Secretary

David Lammy, the son of Guyanese immigrants, has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s new Foreign Secretary.
Lammy, a seasoned politician and Member of Parliament for Tottenham, has long been a vocal advocate for social justice, equality, and the rights of minorities.
Born and raised in London to Guyanese parents, who immigrated to the UK in the 1960s, Lammy’s journey to becoming Foreign Secretary is seen as a testament to both his personal achievements and the evolving inclusivity of British politics.
In his inaugural address after being sworn in at Downing Street, Lammy emphasised the importance of diplomacy, cooperation, and Britain’s role on the global stage. He outlined his vision for promoting international cooperation, addressing climate change, and fostering stronger ties with Commonwealth nations, drawing on his own heritage and experiences to inform his approach.
Prime Minister Emma Thompson, who announced Lammy’s appointment, praised his dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to representing all communities in the UK. Thompson described Lammy as a “trailblazer” whose leadership would strengthen Britain’s international relations and uphold its values of tolerance and diversity.
The appointment has garnered widespread acclaim from political figures as many have hailed it as a step forward in breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive political landscape where individuals from diverse backgrounds can rise to the highest levels of government.
President Dr Irfaan Ali in a social media post on Friday said that he had the pleasure of speaking with the UK’s new Foreign Secretary to congratulate him and his government and assured him of Guyana’s strong friendship and partnership.
“Additionally, I updated him on the impact of Hurricane Beryl on the region and the need for support and collaboration from the international community. Regarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity, he assured me of the continued support of the United Kingdom. We also discussed our bilateral relationship, investments, and the UKEF support for the development of Guyana,” President Ali said.
Guyana’s Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo also took to social media to offer his congratulations to Lammy.
“I look forward to continuing our close working relationship with this esteemed son of the soil, aiming to further strengthen the bonds between Guyana and the UK and explore new avenues for cooperation and development,” Dr Jadeo posted.
Lammy has been vocal on his support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and only last December, he condemned Venezuela’s threat of aggression against Guyana in the UK Parliament.
The British politician had also made several official visits to Georgetown over the years.
In December 2021, Lammy had met with President Ali at State House in his capacity as Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Then in May 2023, Lammy was among several dignitaries who were hosted by the Guyanese Head of State during a visit to London.
Lammy then returned to Georgetown in August 2023, accompanying former UK Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair, on a two-day visit. Under the Tony Blair administration, he served as Minister for Culture at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
During that visit last August, Lammy and his wife, Nicola Green, inaugurated the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre in Guyana – a hub of research, education and training for stakeholders seeking to fight against climate change.
The solar-powered, environmentally conscious centre is located at the confluence of the Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers.
During the inauguration ceremony at the University of Guyana, Lammy had explained how this will work to protect and better understand Guyana’s rainforests.
“The centre will make the environment more accessible, providing a platform for students, academics and researchers to study this overlooked and undervalued country – a location metropolis with potential for terrestrial, freshwater and marine research but also a site to facilitate education beyond the biological sciences, to engage with local and Indigenous communities, music and arts and to tie into the existing vibrant and committed community of conservationists in Guyana, amplifying efforts already underway,” Lammy said.
He had noted that Sophia Point will add to the forest research and conservation efforts already being done through the Iwokrama Research Centre and further facilitated by other key organisations.
In addition, Lammy had noted too that this initiative would support the Guyana Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. He posited that at its heart, Sophia Point is about building Guyana’s capacity to tackle forest conservation.
Once completed, the new facility will include a multi-purpose lecture theatre and lab space, internet access, basic lab equipment, and basic accommodation for up to 24 persons with free-standing washroom facilities, a kitchen and a dining space.
An expanded pontoon and jetty will facilitate the arrival of larger boats and operate as a site for sampling and water quality assessments while a canopy access platform aims to support canopy level and meteorological measurements.
As of July 2023, the first phase of construction on the site of the research centre commenced, whereby the site was marked out and logistics for housing the 20 workers at Sophia Point for the next six months were initiated.