Here are four key takeaways from her carefully crafted address:
Praise for Boris Johnson
Allow me to pay tribute to my predecessor. Boris Johnson delivered Brexit, the Covid vaccine, and resisted Russian aggression. History will see him as a Prime Minister of immense importance. I am honored to take on this responsibility at a critical time for our country. Truss began her speech with a nod to her predecessor, who hung on the coattails of Johnson’s popularity with a Conservative party staple. He relies on their support and thus had to praise the outgoing prime minister. Echoing key talking points from Johnson’s allies, he hailed him for the UK’s departure from the EU, the success of the Covid vaccine development and tough sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Truss hinted that while he was leaving under a cloud of deep unpopularity, he would be remembered differently – and leave a lasting impact on the country.
Action plan for energy this week
Now is the time to tackle the issues holding Britain back. We need to build roads, houses and broadband faster. We need more investment and great jobs in every town and city across our country. We need to reduce the burden on families and help people get on with life… I will take action this week to tackle energy bills and secure our future energy supply. After weeks of being misled by what has been criticized as a “zombie government,” Truss knew empty rhetoric would not be enough to satisfy the desire to hear her sound policy plans. While these were still missing and will be set out in statements to the Commons next week, the new Prime Minister hinted at the issues she will prioritize: building roads, housing and developing broadband. He promised long-awaited “action” on energy bills would be announced by the end of the week.
Nods to Churchill
We will make Britain a nation of aspiration, with high jobs, safe roads and where everyone everywhere has the opportunities they deserve. I will take action this day, and action every day, to make it happen… We must not be daunted by the challenges we face. However strong the storm, I know the British people are stronger. Our country was built by people who get things done. There was also an interesting tone used by Truss, who echoed Churchill’s famous slogan of “act today” to capture the immediacy of her planned reforms. He appeared to nod again to Churchill later in the speech when he referred to his promise that “we can weather the storm” – the wartime prime minister had used the same phrase in his “we will fight them on the beaches” speech in 1940. However, the use of the “nation of ambition” – an old political cliché used by David Cameron and George Osborne – will be interpreted by some as empty.
Blame Putin
We are now facing serious global headwinds caused by Russia’s horrific war in Ukraine and the aftermath of Covid… I will be dealing hands-on with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war. It was only two lines, but Truss deliberately attempted to lay the blame for the energy price crisis squarely at Russia’s door. Wary of the political blow she would face for getting her answer wrong, the new prime minister wanted to remind Britons why they must continue to put up with paying significantly higher prices.
