MP for Braintree, England Welcomed to Braintree, Mass.

BRAINTREE, MA — United Kingdom MP James Cleverly said there was no way he couldn't visit Braintree during his visit to the Boston area this week, although he got a lot more than expected during his stop in town.

Cleverly, who represent's Braintree Town in Britain's lower house, wrote to Mayor Joseph Sullivan thinking he would get a coffee and a chat. Instead, he received a reception at Town Hall, a lunch-in, a look at the birth certificates of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, and a tour of the General Sylvanus Thayer House.

"It’s been absolutely amazing having so many people come who are very interested and engaged with what's happening," Cleverly said after his visit.

Cleverly was welcomed to Braintree with a reception and gifts from local officials. He also received a citation commemorating his visit.

"We consider you a cousin across the pond, you're always welcome," Braintree Town Council President Sean Powers said.

During his visit, Cleverly chatted with Sullivan and local residents about the recent Brexit vote and the state of both British and American politics. Despite the uncertainty on both sides of the Atlantic, Cleverly assured those in attendance that Britain still places an emphasis on their "special relationship" with America.

While the Braintrees are not sister cities, they have much more in common than a name, Cleverly said, noting that both are business towns with commercial history, and a lot of local town pride.

"It's not just a Boston suburb, it's Braintree. My Braintree is Braintree it's not an appendix or adjunct," Cleverly said.

Sullivan said there are talks about a potential visit to Braintree in England.

Cleverly said he was in the area with his family to visit friends who live in Marblehead. After his visit in Braintree, Cleverly said he had plans to attend Tuesday night's Red Sox-Yankees game.

Cleverly was voted into Parliament as a member of the Conservative Party in the May 2015 General Election. Prior, he was a member of the Greater London General Assembly.