Liz Truss

2022 - 7 - 20

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss named finalists for U.K. leader; Boris ... (The Washington Post)

LONDON — The next prime minister of Britain and leader of the Conservative Party is now guaranteed to be an ethnic minority or a woman, after Tory lawmakers ...

Was it glib? Was it fitting? Meanwhile, Johnson will be bidding a long goodbye. On Wednesday, he said farewell to the House of Commons — and to his fellow lawmakers who gave him the boot — in a rowdy appearance marking the near-end of his premiership and this weird, shape-shifting Age of Boris. Sunak is a former Goldman Sachs heavy, a former hedge fund manager. He married really rich.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Associated Press"

Liz Truss, a Margaret Thatcher fan at UK's diplomatic helm (Associated Press)

LONDON (AP) — Fans of Liz Truss think she is the new Iron Lady. Britain's foreign secretary is one of the two final contenders to replace Boris Johnson as ...

But EU leaders and officials hoping she would bring a softer tone to the U.K.’s relations with the bloc have been disappointed. In Britain’s 2016 referendum on whether to leave the European Union, Truss backed the losing “remain” side. As foreign secretary, Truss has been front and center in Britain’s support for Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia over the invasion of its neighbor. She ran unsuccessfully for Parliament twice before being elected to represent the eastern England seat of Southwest Norfolk in 2010. Many praise her firm response to the invasion of Ukraine, and she secured the release of two British nationals jailed in Iran where her predecessors had failed. Britain’s foreign secretary is one of the two final contenders to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and prime minister.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak will go head-to-head in the race to ... (CNBC)

The results of the final vote, which falls to Conservative Party members, are set to be announced by Sept. 5 at the latest, with Johnson expected to remain ...

In a Tuesday YouGov poll of Conservative Party members, Sunak was seen losing to both Mordaunt and Truss in the final two-way round of votes. A separate YouGov poll Wednesday showed that more than half (52%) of Conservative Party members consider personality the top trait they see when electing a new leader. But little is assured in the fast-moving world of British politics. International Trade Minister Mordaunt slipped to the bottom of the runoff with 105 votes. Sunak received 118 votes, followed by Mordaunt with 92 and Truss with 86. Former Finance Minister Sunak maintained his lead, winning 137 votes, while Foreign Secretary Truss came in second with 113 votes.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Axios"

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss advance to runoff to succeed Boris Johnson (Axios)

State of play: Sunak (137 votes) finished first in the final vote among Conservative members of Parliament, while Truss (113 votes) leapfrogged trade minister ...

State of play: Trade minister Penny Mordaunt (92 votes) and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss (86 votes) also survived. - Sunak's resignation as chancellor helped start the exodus that ultimately forced Johnson out. The last round of voting on Wednesday will trim the field down to the final two, before the party's roughly 200,000-strong membership selects the next Conservative leader and thus the U.K.'s next prime minister. Conservative members of Parliament held their penultimate vote on the party's next leader on Tuesday, with former finance minister Rishi Sunak (118 votes) finishing first and right-winger Kemi Badenoch (59 votes) eliminated. State of play: Sunak (137 votes) finished first in the final vote among Conservative members of Parliament, while Truss (113 votes) leapfrogged trade minister Penny Mordaunt (105 votes) to reach the runoff round. The race to replace Boris Johnson as U.K. prime minister and Conservative Party leader is down to two: former finance minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss in runoff to replace Boris Johnson as UK leader (PBS NewsHour)

Britain's Conservative Party has chosen Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss as the two finalists in an election to replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The campaign has already exposed deep divisions in the Conservative Party at the end of Johnson’s scandal-tarnished three-year reign. Johnson did not attend any government emergency meetings about the heat wave that brought record temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to Britain this week. Johnson allies have been accused of lobbying against Sunak, whose resignation helped bring the prime minister down, and in favor of Truss, who remained loyal. He finally quit after one scandal too many — appointing a politician accused of sexual misconduct — drove his ministers to resign en masse. The winner of the party leadership vote will be announced Sept. 5 and will automatically become Britain’s next prime minister. Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt came in third and was eliminated.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

In final two, Britain's foreign minister Liz Truss burnishes her tough ... (Reuters)

If it's not the pictures of her standing atop a tank in a nod to Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher, it's the meme-defining moment when she vented her ...

Others believe she can steady the ship after Johnson's turbulent three years in power. Her robust stance on Russia, China and with Brussels over Brexit will also feature in the campaign. She criticised the monarchy when a member of the more centrist Liberal Democrats at the University of Oxford, and described her conversion to conservatism as a "rebellion" spurred by a belief that people "should succeed on merit". "Now is the time for boldness, not a business-as-usual approach," she said on Tuesday in a pointed reference to Sunak who has said he would not reduce taxes immediately. Born to parents she describes as "left-wing", her mother, a nurse and a teacher, and her father, a maths lecturer, took her on demonstrations against then Conservative prime minister Thatcher, now her political idol. For many, she was a figure of fun, but for those in the governing Conservative Party choosing who should replace Boris Johnson, it is her conversion to passionate Brexit supporter and her offer of tax cuts that have propelled her to within touching distance of becoming Britain's next prime minister.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

Liz Truss, comeback kid (POLITICO.eu)

The UK foreign secretary is now the hot favorite to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister.

"It was another example of the focus on messaging over substance." "I honestly think it's already over," one supportive MP said Wednesday. "She's no good at the hustings — we saw that last week — but it doesn't matter a jot. More colleagues rushed to Truss this week, he added, as it became clear she had a real shot at the top job. Both his Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg rowed in behind her campaign and were unafraid to get personal with her rivals. A YouGov poll of Tory members this week suggested that in a run-off between Truss and Sunak, it would be the foreign secretary who comes out on top. “We think that debate crystallized in people’s minds that she was someone who could really take it to Rishi," an aide said. She was then widely judged to have performed disastrously in the first of two televised leadership debates, and has continued to poll poorly among the general public over which candidate would make the best prime minister. “It's all about who has the most friends," one supportive MP explained. Truss has pledged to cancel his planned 6p rise in corporation tax, and abolish a £12 billion increase in national insurance contributions. Similarly, Truss appears to have picked up crucial votes at the 11th hour from her right-wing rival Kemi Badenoch, who was eliminated Tuesday night. Truss had been slow to launch, stuck abroad in Indonesia on ministerial duty when the Johnson regime imploded earlier this month. She now finds herself the hot favorite to win the race for No. 10 Downing Street.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Vogue.com"

Will Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss Be Britain's Next Prime Minister? (Vogue.com)

As the U.K.'s leadership contest continues, here's everything you need to know about the two remaining candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.

If Sunak were to win the vote, he would become both the country’s first South Asian leader and the youngest in over 200 years, at the age of 42. Over the next six weeks, a final vote will be cast from a wider ballot of 180,000 rank-and-file Conservative members, with the results announced on September 5. Since then, multiple rounds of voting, heated television debates, and plenty of behind-the-scenes lobbying have seen the pool whittled down to just two candidates, after the final remaining frontrunner, Penny Mordaunt, was eliminated earlier today.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Liz Truss, a Margaret Thatcher fan at UK's diplomatic helm (ABC News)

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is one of two finalists in the race to replace Boris Johnson as Britain's prime minister.

But EU leaders and officials hoping she would bring a softer tone to the U.K.’s relations with the bloc have been disappointed. In Britain’s 2016 referendum on whether to leave the European Union, Truss backed the losing “remain” side. As foreign secretary, Truss has been front and center in Britain’s support for Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia over the invasion of its neighbor. Many praise her firm response to the invasion of Ukraine, and she secured the release of two British nationals jailed in Iran where her predecessors had failed. She ran unsuccessfully for Parliament twice before being elected to represent the eastern England seat of Southwest Norfolk in 2010. Britain’s foreign secretary is one of the two final contenders to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and prime minister.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

Truss Went From Anti-Thatcher Protests to Become UK Tory Darling (Bloomberg)

Liz Truss has undergone a political reinvention to become the favorite to succeed Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative party and UK Prime Minister.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Tory leadership: Sunak and Truss begin pitch to be next PM (BBC News)

The two candidates in the Conservative leadership race are setting out their pitches to the party members who will choose Boris Johnson's successor. · Rishi ...

Writing in the Daily Mail, Ms Truss said "the central issue at the next election is going to be the economy" and "we have been going in the wrong direction on tax". In the Daily Telegraph, Mr Sunak wrote that he believed in "hard work, family and integrity", adding: "I am running as a Thatcherite, and I will govern as a Thatcherite." Mr Sunak has previously said the tax burden needed to be reduced but not immediately, saying it was a matter of "when not if". She also pledged to bring in an emergency budget to get the changes through quickly and to announce a spending review to "find more efficiencies in government spending". Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Sunak said he would introduce "a set of reforms as radical as the ones Margaret Thatcher drove through in the 1980s". There were gasps at how close the election to make the final two was and a real awareness of the responsibility party members now carry, on behalf of the country.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

UK conservatives narrow leadership race to Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss (USA TODAY)

LONDON — Britain's Conservative Party chose former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss — a fiscal moderate and a low-tax crusader ...

The campaign has already exposed deep divisions in the Conservative Party at the end of Johnson's scandal-tarnished three-year reign. Johnson did not attend any government emergency meetings about the heat wave that brought record temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to Britain this week. He finally quit after one scandal too many — appointing a politician accused of sexual misconduct — drove his ministers to resign en masse. Johnson allies have been accused of lobbying against Sunak, whose resignation helped bring the prime minister down, and in favor of Truss, who remained loyal. The winner of the party leadership vote will be announced Sept. 5 and will automatically become Britain's next prime minister. The evidence shows that's Rishi."

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Deadline"

As Race To Replace Boris Johnson Moves Up A Gear, BBC ... (Deadline)

Bosses at BBC Broadcasting House and Channel 4 Horseferry Road will be examining Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss's record on public broadcasting.

BBC bosses have said they are open to new models and are due to set out the principles of future funding in the coming weeks but losing a guaranteed £3.8B ($4.6B) a year would be a blow. Both broadcasters took a battering from Johnson’s firebrand Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, via a recently announced review into the future of the BBC licence fee and, more existentially, legislation to privatize Channel 4. Of concern to the BBC, however, Politico reported last week that Sunak has said in private that he would be willing to scrap the £159 ($190) per year annual licence fee and look to alternative funding models when the BBC Charter expires in 2027.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Tory leadership race live: Liz Truss blames Treasury's 'economic ... (The Guardian)

Foreign secretary tells BBC her tax cut plans would cost roughly £38bn a year as she lays out campaign against Rishi Sunak.

In her paper, the clerk of the journals adds: “It is for the committee and the house to determine whether a contempt has occurred and the intention of the contemnor is not relevant to making that decision. This ruling is bad for Johnson because he has already admitted that some of the comments he made to MPs about Partygate were misleading. The clerk’s memo explains that while “much of the commentary has focussed on whether Mr Johnson “deliberately” or “knowingly” misled the Committee”, “this wording is not in the motion”. The committee will seek to take evidence from Johnson and others in public in the autumn. Johnson could face a recall petition, which could lead to a byelection in his constituency, if the committee were to recommend a lengthy suspension from parliament as a punishment. What is the gamble is what we’re doing at the moment because, currently, the United Kingdom is projected to head for a recession. What is a gamble is what we’re doing at the moment. This shows that the MPs are being exceptionally thorough – which is not surprising because an inquiry of this kind is unprecedented in modern times. What is the gamble is what we’re doing at the moment because, currently, the United Kingdom is projected to head for a recession. What is a gamble is what we’re doing at the moment. Truss claimed that “economic orthodoxy” followed by governments over the past 20 years has failed to deliver proper economic growth. Truss claimed that “economic orthodoxy” followed by governments over the past 20 years has failed to deliver proper economic growth.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

Traders Are Predicting Losses in UK Markets If Liz Truss Wins (Bloomberg)

The radical economic policies backed by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss would set UK markets on a downward spiral, according to investors at some of the top ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Conservative leadership: Liz Truss says Tory economic policy ... (BBC News)

Liz Truss vows a new economic approach, as she battles with Rishi Sunak to be the next prime minister.

And where does she see the limit of borrowing? In her first broadcast interview of the leadership campaign, Ms Truss told the BBC she was "wrong" in the 2016 Brexit referendum, when she backed Remain. More borrowing, as she advocates now? Mr Sunak has previously said the tax burden needed to be reduced but not immediately, saying it was a matter of "when not if". He is expected to set out further policies in the coming days. It hasn't delivered growth." Meanwhile, Mr Sunak made his case in the Daily Telegraph, pledging to deliver "a set of reforms as radical as the ones Margaret Thatcher drove through in the 1980s".

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

English: Liz Truss Ahead In Polling For Now (Audio) - Bloomberg (Bloomberg)

In YouGov polling Liz Truss has the advantage right now, however things can change quickly says YouGov Associate Director Patrick English.

He added that there is a sense among the membership that want to see tax cuts and classic party values at the heart of government. He says they want someone strong with honesty and integrity and the second important thing they are looking for is more of a return to conventional conservatism. In YouGov polling Liz Truss has the advantage right now, however things can change quickly says YouGov Associate Director Patrick English. Speaking to Bloomberg Daybreak's Caroline Hepker and Alex Webb he outlines what two key things party members are looking for in their next leader.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Truss claims she wanted Johnson to stay as she pledges to rip up ... (The Guardian)

Tory leadership candidate details her proposals to cut taxes that she voted for as part of Johnson's cabinet.

About 160,000 fee-paying members – half aged over 60, 97% white and a large proportion male and from southern England – will have the chance to vote next month. “I think he did a fantastic job with the 2019 election, and that he delivered Brexit and the vaccines. The interview came on the day after she and the former chancellor Rishi Sunak became the final two candidates in the running to become the UK’s next prime minister. She added: “What is the gamble is what we’re doing at the moment, because currently the United Kingdom is projected to head for a recession. Robert Jenrick also appeared on the Today programme, in support of Sunak’s leadership campaign. She added: “We have had a consensus of the Treasury, of economists, with the Financial Times, with other outlets, peddling a particular type of economic policy for 20 years.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Liz Truss tax cuts policy 'ridiculous' and risks 1970s-style inflation ... (The Independent)

Experts reject Tory candidate's claim tax cuts 'will decrease inflation' – and warn of austerity era ahead.

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

Truss Extends Lead Over Sunak in Race to Lead UK, Poll Shows (Bloomberg)

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss extended her lead over former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in the race to be the UK's next prime minister, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Liz Truss's tax and spending plans sow consternation among ... (The Guardian)

Liz Truss claims her economic agenda of tax cuts and public spending will revitalise the UK economy, but it is not just her rival prime ministerial candidate ...

But one thing is for sure: “they will mean higher borrowing or less public spending, or some combination”, so vast swathes of Whitehall and welfare spending will need to come under the hammer. Truss is likely to cause consternation in financial markets if she seeks to meddle in the central bank’s decision-making. Harking back to Margaret Thatcher’s stance in 1979, Truss believes inflation is partly the result of cheap borrowing fostered by the central bank, so tighter monetary policy would limit rising prices.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "DeSmog"

Liz Truss Cites Economist Linked to Climate Deniers in Defence of ... (DeSmog)

Patrick Minford is a fellow at the Centre for Brexit Policy and led Economists for Free Trade, both of which have strong ties to the Global Warming Policy ...

Truss has been linked to a string of libertarian think-tanks opposed to government climate targets. Steve Baker, an influential backbench MP and GWPF trustee who leads an anti-green faction in parliament, is backing Truss’ bid for leader. However, she has a record of working with free market think-tanks that are opposed to government action on climate change, and she has vowed to overturn the UK’s ban on fracking for shale gas.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Rishi Sunak steps up attack on Truss tax cuts as poll puts his rival ... (The Guardian)

Former chancellor says opponent's economic policies risk stoking inflation and pushing up interest rates.

With inflation already at a 40-year high, he told LBC: “My strong point of view is if the government goes on a huge borrowing spree, that is only going to make that situation worse. He said spending cuts would be extremely difficult in the current circumstances. The Labour MP Stella Creasy said: “Families across this country are crying out for affordable childcare so that they don’t have to choose between their career and their kids. The former Conservative chief secretary to the Treasury David Gauke said he was concerned about Truss’s plans. Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggested Truss’s promises were ultimately likely to lead to public spending cuts. We’re stuck with a zombie government and ministers focusing on the leadership campaign instead of doing their jobs.”

Explore the last week