The week began with the announcement from the Conservative Party that they have elected their third woman candidate to become the party leader. This means the Rt Hon Liz Truss MP is now the new Prime Minister of Great Britain. You have to commend the Conservative Party; in modern politics they are the only party in British politics that has promoted and elected women to the highest office. Not only that, in recent times it is the only party that has promoted and elected people of colour (PoC) to the top tier of Government. Contrast this with the Labour Party where we have the dominance of white males who shout and scream loudly about equalities and diversity, but have consistently ensured no woman or PoC gets anywhere close to the reign of power.
Liz Truss is our new prime minister and history shows the last time we had a prime minister with the surname beginning with a ‘T’, she went on to become the most formidable leader in the modern era. Can the new ‘T’ on the block emulate Thatcher? Or will she plough her own field and still make history? Time as they will tell, but unfortunately time is not what Truss has.
Truss comes in at probably the worst time imaginable. The world is in a mess, both financially and in terms of peace and unity. Debt and inflation out of control in most western economies. Energy costs spiralling out of control because the west decided to make an example of Russia.
Whilst I am in no position to advise Liz, I guess ‘hum be aadat se majboor’ and so in the spirit of one nation, here are my few thoughts.
We have several challenges that require immediate action. She will have to do something dramatic to bring energy costs within the bounds of the majority of people. By this I mean not just those who always get relief, but also those in the middle who traditionally don’t measure up for freebies. The top 5% are OK, but the rest of us are in severe pain. Bringing the cost of living down by any means might be the new mantra. Making UK energy independent should be on a war footing.
The Prime Minister also needs to focus on other bigger issues like getting the Bill of Rights passed urgently. Illegal immigration is now taking its toll. You can test the patience of the British for only so long, I hope this elastic that is overstretched is not tested, lest it snaps!
Continue and force the pace on all aspects of Brexit. No holds bar interaction and FTAs with as many nations as possible.
Sort out taxation and raise the minimum wage to £12 as soon as possible. This will puncture Labour’s hot air balloon.
Stop appeasement politics. Nations like India are our future, not Pakistan or China. Any British Prime Minister who does not understand this simple fact will end up costing us our future.
It’s time to challenge all opposition parties to come together to sort out social care. We need a system in place that is fit for the next five decades.
The list can be extended (education, NHS, Law and Order, defence etc), but it gives a flavour of what the majority of British electorate are looking for in a government.
Truss must also be mindful to maintain quality and diversity at the top of government. It has taken the Tories more than 5 decades to be a champion on equalities and diversity. It would be an error to allow Labour any opportunity to back on this.
PM Truss, say little, but what you say, make it happen. Don’t forget the enemy of the nation is an opposition that will pounce on anything for their politics. Don’t strive for headlines, make the work you do for the nation the headline. And remember, you are not Thatcher, you are Truss. It’s time to plough your furrow in your own style.
