It was Winston Churchill who remarked, according to legend, that: “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” And so he did, at some length, and with his customary eloquence (six substantial volumes to be exact). His monumental achievements in power helped the process along, it’s fair to say. In the case of Liz Truss, there is little she can do to change the verdict of history on her nasty, brutish and freakishly short time in office. Her ludicrous memoir merely confirms that fact.
She was, is, and will forever be a national embarrassment, her only exceptional talent being an astonishing lack of selfawareness. It’s not a useful trait in a politician, and it’s a highly unattractive one in an author. She is just as much hard work on the printed page as she is off it.
This might have been an opportunity for her to explain her political journey from anti-monarchist Liberal Democrat to moderate liberal “Cameroon” Tory to hard-right ideologue. She might have explained how she went from fervent pro-European and Remainer to Brexit Ultra. She could have usefully, if awkwardly, drawn the logical conclusion that follows from her admittance that she went too far too fast in her tax-cutting agenda – which is that Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak got the right timing. Had Truss concentrated on working with the Bank of England in getting inflation down first, and then turned her attention to modest but headline-grabbing tax cuts, she might well still be PM now; she and her party in a far better position, too. Instead, her memoir comprises one giant whinge, punctuated by nonsensical sub-Thatcher stuff such as “you either believe in low taxes stimulating economic growth or you don’t”.
この記事は The Independent の April 17, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Independent の April 17, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Brexit And Economy See UK In Decline, Says Global Study
Weak leadership, poor economic management and Brexit have dragged Britain out of the top 10 countries in a global index on good government. The decline of Britain under the Tories has been charted by the Chandler Global Index for Good Government CGGI) which saw it take 11th place.
EasyJet CEO To Step Down As Southend Hub Reopens
Johan Lundgren is to step down as chief executive of Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet, within 12 months after seven years at the helm. He will be replaced by chief financial officer Kenton Jarvis, the carrier said, as it announced reduced half-year losses.
Never Mind Harry - Meet Europe's Real Royal Rebels
Every royal family is plagued by scandalous figures in their ranks. Here, Helen Coffey highlights a few of her favourites
Starmer Beats The Drum For Change In Battleground Blitz
Labour leader backed by ex-Tory donors including Boots boss
Putin And Xi Reaffirm Their 'No Limits' Anti-US Alliance
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping jointly condemned the United States yesterday as they announced even closer strategic ties and reaffirmed their no limits” partnership in defiance of Western pressure.
What Is The Likely Benefit Of The Putin-Xi Partnership?
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, and Xi Jinping, his Chinese opposite number and host, agreed yesterday to deepen their strategic partnership” while accusing the United States of trying to violate the strategic balance” in world affairs.
Zelensky's Visit To Kharkiv Seeks To Boost Troop Morale
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky sought to boost the morale of his troops with a visit to the northeastern city of Kharkiv with Russian forces making advances across the region.
Norris ends Miami party to focus on follow-up at Imola
Beaming in the novelty and adulation of his first victory in Formula One, Britain’s Lando Norris was not going to miss a beat in celebrating over the past fortnight. Partying with American sports stars, check.
Klopp's Liverpool legacy so much more than silverware
After all the sound, there’s no fury. There’s only a peace. As Jurgen Klopp departs Liverpool, he has no real regrets. He’s won everything, even if there could have been more. There’s a bigger debate about the latter but, even within that, a point has been proven.
Play-off king Farke shows Leeds the Wembley way
Perhaps it only took Leeds United 37 years to master the playoffs. The oldest curse in the Football League’s end-of-season exercise in delight and dejection may only have another 10 days left to run.