Today (yesterday) is a pivotal day in UK politics. It represents the transition from Johnson to Truss, and today is her first real test as new Prime Minister.
Every Wednesday at noon the leader of the opposition (and a few others) has about 30 minutes to ask questions directly to the PM. Known as PMQ's, it is the weekly sparring between Conservatism and Marxism, and is the showcase for the policies of both sides.
It must be said that Liz Truss is slightly lacklustre; she has little of Boris's forceful character, wit, or even knowledge. She is a politician above all and will answer her questioning logically, but without much humour. On the opposite bench Sir Kier Starmer is bland, uninspiring, and totally out of touch with what makes UK Plc tick. He isn't a difficult opponent.
I watched with great interest. We all knew that it was at this moment when Truss needed to set-out her policy for the next year or two. It was also at this very moment when her, and the Conservative party's, future would be decided. She needed to be honest, tough, and inspiring.
She was OK; that's as far as I'd go. She falters in her delivery and doesn't seem to be able think far enough ahead. As is usual for every Tory PM, she did try to teach the opposition about the folly of 'Tax and Spend', but they never listen. Every Labour government has ended a term in office with very high unemployment and the country's finances in an awful mess; you'd think they'd try to learn.
Liz needs to be cautious. She has sacked all Rishi's supporters from their previously held positions and could well be building an enemy camp on the back benches. Her first speech on Tuesday afternoon outside No 10 was uninspiring but to the point. That morning Boris had made his farewell speech from the same podium with entertainment humour and gusto; a very different performance to that of Truss. She desperately needs lessons in public speaking!
Liz was president of the Oxford University Lib-Dem club whilst at Merton, but we'll try to forget about that! I couldn't help thinking that she has replaced a formidable leader and will need to make a lot more effort. If her own party treated Boris as they did, I can only imagine what they'll do with Truss if she shows weakness.
I am feeling a little more positive than you.
ReplyDeleteIf by some stroke of luck the country has a Conservative PM then I'm all for her, if she turns out to be a Greeny Lefty in a blue jacket then life will go on as it has for half my life.
I'm trying hard to support her, but the combination of her poor speech making, and the fact that she was an ardent Lib-Dem, are holding me back a tad. I will give her the traditional 100 days and reassess my opinion.
DeleteChurchill was a Liberal, we all make mistakes when young. I still make mistakes now but I'm an idiot.
DeleteHaving been abroad for about 50 years I haven't actually voted very much, but it has always been for the same bunch. As Churchill so wisely said "If you don't vote Labour at 18 you have no soul. If you don't vote Tory at 25 you have no brain".
DeleteAs i recall, she has been promising tax cuts. In my time the last Chancellor to have really taken an axe to UK taxes was Nigel Lawson, every else whatever their political label seems to have been cut from the Gordon Brown mold of "find something, anything, that no-one has taxed yet and slap a tax on it". We certainly need the UK tax code to be drastically simplified.
DeleteI have always championed an across-the-board fixed percentage tax rate; say 10%. People would know exactly what their tax bill would be, and the rate would lower or rise to cope with whatever the situation demanded.
DeleteGood luck to the English for the next election as they choose between two lacklustre leaders.
ReplyDeleteI already have another one in mind; watch this space.
DeleteI thought she dealt with questions logically, which was a step up from Boris who hardly bothered to answer them at all. What we saw was the setting out of two ideologically different alternatives. I have to say it seems hard to justify borrowing to compensate energy providers for loss of profits through having to pay higher prices to energy producers, and it's appalling that we have to pay producers market prices for our own gas because of the licensing system.
ReplyDeleteShe won't have much entertainment value, but maybe that's a good thing. More Mrs T and less Boris should get her where she wants to go.
DeleteBJ was definitely slick and entertaining but he had a fatal flaw....which brought him down. If LT can deliver on promises, this will go a long way. Reducing tax and control of energy costs seem to be her goals. Wait and watch.
ReplyDeleteI just hope those goals will be achieved. We need them.
DeleteI usually watch Prime Minister's Questions. A big difference between Johnson and Truss is this - Truss actually listened to the questions and attempted to answer them but Johnson normally ignored the questions and flew away on another little ego trip: "Listen to me! Look at me!". His long drawn out departure has been coloured with a total lack of humility or apology. Good riddance to the pompous windbag!
ReplyDeleteFrankly I don't think Boris could be bothered to answer such nonsense from Starmer. He certainly couldn't from Corbyn. I don't think he has much to be humble or apologetic about, he achieved a lot.
DeleteUninspiring so far is my vrdicy
ReplyDeletesorry obviously I meant verdict
ReplyDeleteI listened to her homage to The Queen yesterday. She sounded so amateurish, even though the sentiment was there.
DeleteHer speech yesterday out side number 10, paled to nothing, after listening to Boris's words.
ReplyDelete