Liz Truss vows to ‘lead the Conservatives into the next general election’
In new interview the Prime Minister defied calls for her to resign, but admitted 'I completely acknowledge that there have been mistakes'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Liz Truss has vowed to “lead the Conservatives into the next general election” after admitting “mistakes” have been made since she became Prime Minister.
In a defiant interview, given at the end of a day in which new chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed he was ditching most of her economic plan, Truss said:”I will lead the Conservatives into the next general election.”
She added:” I completely acknowledge that there have been mistakes.
“I have acted swiftly to fix those mistakes. I’ve been honest about what those mistakes were.
“And what we now need to do is move forward and deliver for the country because that’s ultimately, that’s ultimately what people care about.
“I will stay in the job to deliver for the national interest.”
PM Truss had directly appealed for support from within the Jewish community during her leadership campaign, issuing statements on eradicating antisemitism, and on moving the UK embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
While winning over some Tory supporters within the community, others were skeptical, viewing challenger Rishi Sunak as offering a more sensible and less risky outlook, during a time of global economic uncertainty.
At the Tory Party conference, earlier this month, Truss was loudly applauded by supporters at a Conservative Friends of Israel reception after saying she was a “huge” supporter of Israel and of Zionism.
But speaking to the BBC One political editor Chris Mason on Monday, the PM was asked if she recognised that one of her main achievements since becoming PM was to make it harder for millions of people to pay their bills in this country.
“Well, first of all I have said sorry for the fact that we did act too far,” she said. “We went too far and too fast…”
But she dismissed talk that her own MPs were now lining up possible replacements for her as PM by saying:”I’m not focused on internal debates within the Conservative Party.
“The important thing is that I’ve been elected to this position to deliver for the country. ”
Asked about the spectacular u-turn over her and ex-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s min-budget Truss refused to accept that Rishi Sunak was correct with his analysis of the economy during the leadership contest.
Speaking to the BBC she said only:”We had a very robust leadership campaign this summer where we debated ideas, we debated philosophy.”
Asked about the appointment of Hunt she said:”Well, I appointed the chancellor because I knew that we had to pursue these policies.
“I knew that we had to act to protect economic stability, and that’s why I appointed Jeremy Hunt.
“I’d been working very closely with the chancellor over the last few days to make sure that we have the right package in place, but it would have been completely irresponsible for me not to act in the national interest in the way where I have.
“I am somebody who’s honest. I’ve said that mistakes were made. But I’ve also acted to address that to make sure the country is in a strong position. And that’s what I will continue to do as prime minister.”
Truss continued to take credit for delivering the energy price guarantee, even though the new chancellor confirmed help would only now remain in place until next April, rather than for two years as originally pledged.
“Well I can can reassure people off is that the most vulnerable will be protected into next winter,” she said.
” We’re looking at exactly how we can do that. ”
Addressing her critics in the Tory Party she added:”I say to them is that we should be focusing on the people of the United Kingdom and how we deliver for them.
“We were elected on the conservative manifesto in 2019 to level up our country to provide more opportunities to deliver for our public services.
“That’s what I’m focused on doing. And I don’t think people want to hear about internal discussions in the Conservative Party.
“I think people I think people recognise that we are facing a very serious situation internationally, that there are serious economic headwinds, and they want a government and a Conservative Party that deals with that.
“I’m sticking around because I was elected to deliver for this country.
“And that is what I am determined to do.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
