Who Is Liz Truss, Great Britain’s New Prime Minister?
On 11 May 2021, Liz Truss was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, becoming the first woman in over 100 years to lead the nation. As the third female Prime Minister, Liz Truss is unapologetically forging her own path and her presence has already kicked-off a wave of inspiration and enthusiasm. But who is Liz Truss and what has she accomplished? In this article, we take a deep dive into the life and career of the newest Prime Minister of Great Britain.
PrePolitical Career
Liz Truss was born in Leeds, England on 26 May 1974. She attended Colne Valley High School, a local grammar school and then Oxford University where she received a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. After university, she worked in various roles in the financial sector, including management consultant at PA Consulting Group and an economist at the Wholesale Market Brokers Association.
Political Career
Liz Truss was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 2010, representing the constituency of South West Norfolk. She held several shadow minister roles in the Department of Education, Treasury, and Transport before becoming Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2019 to 2020.
In 2020, Liz Truss was appointed the British Prime Minister in the aftermath of the Brexit saga. Despite her relatively short political career, Liz Truss brought energy and enthusiasm to foreign policy, free trade, and deregulation.
Hardships and Achievements
Though Truss has had great success in her political career, she has faced her fair share of hardships, most notably being a target of online hate and trolling. She has been the target of over 10,000 online hate messages since taking office and has had to take security measures to protect herself and her family.
In the face of difficult personal circumstances, Liz Truss has met hostile takeovers head-on and achieved important milestones. Under her leadership, the United Kingdom was able to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union that removed tariffs on imported and exported goods.
In addition to navigating Brexit, Truss has also achieved goals such as tackling climate change, meeting net zero targets by 2050 and securing free trade relationships with countries like India and the US.
Personality
Liz Truss is known for her witty oratory style and her seemingly never-ending supply of energy to tackle economic, environmental and social issues. She has become a beacon of inspiration for many women and an icon for free trade and deregulation.
Despite often being seen as a ‘tough-talking politician’, Liz has also shown her softer side. She is a champion of arts and culture, with a special interest in theatre, dance, and music.
Liz Truss is a trailblazer, defying expectations and making history as the first female Prime Minister in more than 100 years. She has brought a new level of energy and enthusiasm to politics, tackling difficult policy areas like Brexit, climate change and trade agreements with determination and vigor. Liz Truss has become an inspirational figure for many and is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs in promoting free trade and deregulation.
