A Cosplay Thatcher.

"Truss has already demonstrated colossal ambition hung by the slenderest thread of intellect and talent."

This is going to be fun to watch. Britain's new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, voted in by mostly geriatric Conservative Party members, assumes office today.

What do we know about Truss? Well, for starters, she was brought up in a left-wing household and, as a student, was a Liberal Party member. During that time, she gave a notable speech calling for the abolition of the monarchy. I doubt she will be repeating such sentiments as she bends the knee at Balmoral. 

Truss then morphed into a Tory who was against Brexit, giving many speeches warning of the horrors that separation from Europe would bring. Then, overnight, with little or no explanation, she completely reversed direction. Does this mean she is an opportunist politician without principles (surely not), or that she's a woolly-minded thinker? Perhaps both. (Of course, she can change her opinions. At one time I thought Stones Bitter was nectar, now I can’t stand the stuff). 

Her great hero is Margaret Thatcher, to the extent that Truss loves nothing more than a bit of Maggie cosplay. Yet, unlike Thatcher, the lady is for turning. Given her vagueness and frequent reversals, it's unclear what conservative ideology Truss follows. Although, she's promised sweeping tax cuts, not much else is clear.

With tax cuts, how do you pay for stuff? The NHS needs money, as do the police and other critical public services that appear in permanent crisis. 

Also, let's not forget she sat in Cabinet supporting Boris, covering his lies and deceptions. So, has Britain replaced one Prime Minister who casually and routinely manipulated the truth with a facsimile?

As Trade Secretary, Truss negotiated a record number of overseas deals. But, a good number proved less than favourable and may have harmed the U.K. economy. For example, the two deals she agreed with Australia and New Zealand eliminated all trade barriers, damaging the domestic meat industry. Farmers raised the alarm early, but Liz pressed on and ignored them.

Her clumsy style was on show when she could not assert that President Macron was trustworthy, claiming, "The jury is out on that one." Even if you think such things, venting in public is unhelpful unless you have a specific beef to address. With E.U./U.K. relations still fraught over unresolved Brexit matters, such utterances are unwise.

As Foreign Secretary, she embarrassed herself and the U.K. with a shocking lack of knowledge when seeking to confront the Russian Foreign Minister. She'd not mastered her brief and got her facts wrong, while Sergei Lavrov told her to slow down and listen to the translation. Her attempt at channelling the 'Iron Lady' evaporated into a scolded child. 

This stumbling is part of a broader issue with her awkward demeanour and public speaking style. Unfair criticism, you may think. But, these things matter on the world stage, given the impact that oratory can have. Think Churchill, Kennedy and Obama. Meanwhile, Liz reminds me of an overzealous school perfect.

Truss has already demonstrated colossal ambition hung by the slenderest thread of intellect and talent. Something is going to snap—especially given the tremendous challenges the U.K. is facing. 

A cost of living crisis is accelerating as the British pound collapses. The appearance of food banks in once prosperous areas tells a story. Industrial strife, the war in the Ukraine and fuel costs are creating a perfect storm. 

Those promised trade deals that would carry the country forward as it left the E.U. have failed to materialise. The U.S. is unwilling to parley until resolution of the Northern Ireland border issue; that looks unlikely. Again, the U.K. is learning that the special relationship only goes so far. American interests come first, and in that regard, they stand with Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.

China, a massive investor in the U.K. and the third largest trading partner, is now portrayed as a threat, so no deal. The 'Golden Era' rhetoric of Cameron is long gone. Meanwhile, Beijing benefits from the Ukraine war by buying up cheap energy once destined for Europe. The sanctions imposed on Russia are, in effect, punishing Europe. 

Lastly, Truss takes over with no popular mandate. Poll after poll reveals the public, including Conservative voters, don't favour her. But, at the latest, she can hang on until January 2025, when an election must be called.

I doubt she will make it.