Liz Truss, the former British prime minister, has made a fresh bid for political relevance by addressing a far-right conference in the US, railing against Joe Biden, transgender rights and a so-called leftwing-run deep state.
When Truss arrived on stage at the National Harbor in Maryland for the Conservative Political Action Conference, she received a polite round of applause and noticed many unoccupied seats. Although CPAC claims to be the largest and most influential conservative convention globally, it is now largely viewed as a rally for Donald Trump, with speakers primarily representing the populist wing of the Republican party.
In a speech titled “Taking Back Our Parties,” Truss stated that conservatives are currently facing a hostile environment and require a stronger approach in order to be successful. She emphasized the need to challenge institutions and the system itself, and urged conservatives to be ready to take on this challenge.
CPAC offers a secure environment for Truss, away from the mockery she receives in other forums domestically and internationally. Numerous individuals in the United States are knowledgeable about how her 50-day term as prime minister was surpassed by a head of iceberg lettuce worth only 60p ($0.70) in a contest organized by a British publication using a webcam. Upon her arrival at CPAC on Wednesday, liberal commentator Molly Jong-Fast responded on X with four emojis of lettuce.
The motivations are both financial and philosophical. Truss’s marketing campaign in the United States aligns with the release of her book, Ten Years to Save the West. “I have authored a book that will be released shortly and can be pre-ordered,” she announced at CPAC, a statement that critics may view as the main message of her speech.
At the conference location, a large advertisement for the book was prominently showcased, along with one promoting a biography of Tucker Carlson, the ex-host of Fox News who recently conducted a fawning interview with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. At CPAC, a virtual pinball game displayed pictures from the 6 January 2021 insurrection, which numerous attendees viewed as a brave demonstration.
Truss’s presence here came after several appearances by conservative politicians and media figures claiming that the 2020 election was fraudulently taken from Trump. They also referred to Biden as a “dried-up former human shell” who could potentially be replaced by Michelle Obama, and spoke negatively about the “transgender industry” as a “threatening force”.
Truss confidently expressed her belief that western values are under threat, stating that even our past and biology are being questioned. She pointed out the shocking notion that just a decade ago, it would have been unimaginable to have a debate over the definition of gender. It is truly remarkable.
Despite the left’s victories, they continue to push their agenda to even greater extremes. In contrast, President Biden has been criticized for being inactive in the White House. The speaker also expressed discontent with the rise of a new economic approach in the western world known as “wokenomics.”
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Truss followed the example of Steve Bannon, who was previously the chief strategist at the White House and is associated with far-right nationalist movements around the world. At CPAC in 2017, Bannon called for the dismantling of the administrative state. Truss claimed that the left has infiltrated both public and private institutions through “the deep state” and has hindered her attempts to lower taxes and shrink the government.
The former prime minister acknowledged that she may not have been flawless in her actions, but she faced severe criticism for her conservative policies from the media, corporate world, and even those in her own government.
She stated: “Not only did the IMF and President Biden intervene, but even the inventor of ‘Bidenomics’ criticized my economic policy. It is quite offensive to be attacked in this manner.”
Truss assumed office following her victory in the Conservative party’s leadership race to succeed Boris Johnson. Her proposal to boost economic growth through a mini-budget of £45bn ($54bn) in tax cuts, including a reduction in income tax for top earners, resulted in economic turmoil. She stepped down in October 2022, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in the country’s history.
Truss urged Republicans to regain control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, but did not explicitly endorse Trump. Truss’s criticism aligned with Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp.”
The former Prime Minister’s address at CPAC received some applause but did not generate as much enthusiasm as other speakers. This comes after her recent launch of a popular conservative movement in London, as she aims to improve her public image. Attendees at the conference, where Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is highly respected, were pleased to have her in attendance.
Harry Maynard, a 71-year-old resident of Tallahassee, Florida, expressed his enthusiasm for the presence of a female individual, stating that it was unfortunate she only stayed for six weeks. He also mentioned that both the woman and a man with a similar name, Bo Johnson, were “hijacked.”
Emmett Geul, a 19-year-old student and member of the Ohio Army National Guard, was enthusiastic about Truss’s visit. He believed that London and England should take a more conservative approach. Despite the housing crisis and rising cost of living, Geul felt that having strong conservative leaders globally could lead to a more peaceful environment and less involvement in wars.
Geul supported Truss’s criticism of the deep state, stating that it is rife with favoritism and self-serving agendas. They often prioritize their own interests instead of those of the people who elected them.
Katelyn Meeks, a 21-year-old student, stated that Truss had been treated unjustly in the UK. She believes that it is a difficult challenge to navigate bureaucratic obstacles while fighting against unknown factors. The uncertainty makes it challenging to plan and make decisions.
According to a survey conducted by Savanta, Truss is among the least popular politicians in Britain. The results showed that her favorability rating is at -54%, with Boris Johnson at -25% and Rishi Sunak at -27%.
The main CPAC stage will feature a diverse group of speakers this year, such as Trump, former leader of the Brexit party Nigel Farage, and Argentinian president Javier Milei, known as “the madman” and “the wig” for his libertarian views. In past conferences, attendees have heard from leaders like Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil.
Source: theguardian.com
