Liz Truss becomes the UK’s new Prime Minister. Here’s what it means for you and I
At 12:30 pm on 5 September 2022, the new British Prime Minister was announced to the public. Having been subjected to six weeks of political campaigning, citizens across the nation are gratefully putting the ‘rat race for Downing Street’ stress to bed.
Faced with Rishi Sunak on one hand and Liz Truss on the other, it’s not hard to understand why neither Tory candidate had been particularly popular among voters. Nevertheless, with BoJo entirely out and Truss stomping in to replace him, it’s time we consider the realities of what might have been and what to expect—or rather fear—from the new PM. But first, let’s look back on what the unsuccessful candidate stood for.
No such luck for Dishy Rishi
The former Chancellor of the Exchequer began his campaign by pitching himself to the public as a trusted and valued member of Parliament. His career in politics, having begun in 2015, has wielded an incredibly recognisable public brand—a skinny suit, relaxed smile and controversial economic policies.
Following an illustrious education at Winchester College, Oxford University and Stanford University, Sunak sought a life in politics, quickly rising through the Conservative ranks. His most significant characteristic, according to The Economist, is his dual-identity. Specifically, Sunak has gained traction within the British political sphere by profiting off of a ‘socially liberal’ ideology, while simultaneously pursuing an aggressive economic strategy.
Sunak navigates British politics as both an economic pragmatist who, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, claimed he would do “whatever it takes,” to save the country from financial collapse. That being said, the former Chancellor also maintains an ideological identity standpoint. In a 2019 interview with the BBC, Sunak emphasised how his identity as an ethnic minority mattered greatly to him. Having experienced racism within the UK himself, he recognises the importance of both cultural acceptance and upbringing.
On the other hand, Sunak has faced countless criticism during his bid for Prime Minister. And for good reason—the former Chancellor’s policies have been repeatedly condemned as irresponsible, insensitive and dangerous.
In one particular example, Sunak was captured on film speaking with Conservative party members in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. In the leaked footage released by The New Statesman, Sunak boasted to constituents of the affluent town: “We inherited a bunch of formulas from Labour that shoved all the funding into deprived urban areas and that needed to be undone. I started the work of undoing that.” Another tone-deaf Conservative politician—are we at all surprised?
Throughout the highly Tory leadership race, Sunak has often been referred to as “the underdog.” This nickname however, has unfortunately failed to deter the former Chancellor from maintaining a ‘tough stance’ on his economic policies—unequal would be a more applicable term.
Despite rejecting his opponents’ claims of having a “doomster” approach to the country’s economics, Sunak has shown a frequent lack of understanding for everyday struggles. The Guardian, reporting on the politician’s personal wealth, explained Sunak has a history of controversially using “non-domiciled” status in order to flout tax restrictions—predominantly through his wife who has been estimated to have avoided paying UK taxes of £20 million on overseas earnings.
Things could only get worse if Sunak went as far as to borrow a Sainsbury’s worker’s ordinary car for a publicity photoshoot—oh wait, he did. Oops.
While the leave Brexit politician failed to clinch the title of Prime Minister, we expect his desperate bid for top dog position is far from over. In fact, his most recent line of attack has targeted, what he calls, “lefty woke culture,” that seeks to “cancel our women.” As aptly put by Pink News, having said little about LGBTQIA+ rights in the past, Sunak attempted to please the Conservative right by promising to shield women from erasure and “use trans rights as a pawn to win support.”
‘Sadly’ for Sunak, this didn’t quite go to plan.
The new self-proclaimed “disruptor-in-chief,” Liz Truss
Now, for the main event—the official new Prime Minister of the UK. The ballot was read out by Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady, with Truss securing 81,326 votes and Sunak only 60,399.
During her acceptance speech, Truss thanked her family, her campaign team, her fellow party members and… “my friend Boris Johnson.” While for some, Truss may appear the lesser of two evils, this is not the case. Keep reading to uncover what’s in store for the country under a Truss government.
The self-proclaimed “disruptor-in-chief” has managed to wrangle her way into the most prestigious office in the country. Once President of the Oxford University Liberal Democrats, Truss is now universally known for her work within the Conservative party.
Having held roles as Environment secretary, Trade secretary and within the Treasury, Truss is well-versed in British politics and, as Prime Minister, has promised “radical measures” to tackle the ever-growing cost of living crisis.
The complete lowdown on Liz Truss’ politics
1. Taxation, spending and cost of living
According to The Guardian, Truss’ clear economic priority is to cut taxes, “She has promised to reverse the recent increase in national insurance and to cancel a scheduled rise in corporation tax, at a combined cost of about £30 [billion] a year.” However, experts have expressed scepticism about a tax cut-based response to the cost of living crisis, primarily concerned about how this approach may disproportionately benefit high earners and harm those reliant on pensions or benefits.
In addition, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has warned that Truss’ commitment to spend three per cent of national income on defence would cost an extra £157 billion, as reported by the BBC. The renowned think tank has warned of the impact this move could have on the public.
2. Immigration
In a cruel twist of fate, Truss has followed in the footsteps of former opponent Sunak by promising more ‘Rwanda-style’ deals in the future.
Very early on in the campaign, Truss publicly stated that she had plans to explore similar partnerships with other countries. She has also pledged to increase the UK’s frontline border force by 20 per cent and double the border force’s maritime staffing levels, as reported by Bloomberg.
As aptly described in The Guardian, Truss has presented herself as “the true heir to Johnson who will finish the job of overhauling immigration policy.” Thanks, but no thanks.
3. Truss is really a laughing matter
Who ever said breakfast TV wasn’t entertaining? Sunday mornings are often synonymous with half-awake coffee runs, bacon rolls and Netflix true crime documentaries. For Journalist Laura Kuenssberg, however, they’re filled to the brim with a carousel of Britain’s top—being the loose term—politicians who take turns sitting opposite her and receiving a grilling in a purposefully uncomfortable red chair.
This particular Sunday, aired on 4 September, featured an interview with none other than the soon-to-be Prime Minister. Kuenssberg’s conversation with the politician featured a number of moments that we could only describe as disturbing.
According to Truss, not only was the cost of living not a crisis, it was a situation that the UK was very well placed to deal with—yep, she actually said that. In fact, she went on to insist that her plan to cut taxes was inherently important as it was necessary to reward the most well-off in society. Say what?
Thankfully, Birmingham-based award winning comedian Joe Lycett was on side and posed to utilise her sarcastic talents. As the interview came to a close, Lycett was heard exclaming in the background, “She’s going to sort everything out! You smashed it, Liz!”
The comedian also reiterated his ‘support’ for Truss: “I think the haters will say we’ve had 12 years of the Tories, and that we’re sort of at the dregs of what they’ve got available, and that Liz Truss is sort of like the backwash of the available MPs. I wouldn’t say that, because I’m incredibly right-wing, but some people might say that.”
As of 5 September 2022, Truss officially moves into 10 Downing Street and becomes the country’s new Prime Minister. It won’t be until the next general election in 2025 that the public will be able to contest this. Wish us all luck.
