‘Pork markets’ meme resurfaces as Liz Truss becomes foreign secretary in reshuffle
In an incredible case of a political meme coming full circle, ‘pork markets’ – a phrase uttered by Liz Truss MP during the 2014 Conservative Party Conference – has resurfaced online after the South West Norfolk politician was confirmed as foreign secretary on Wednesday.
Truss, who remains the minister for women and equalities, took over the role as part of a government reshuffle by Boris Johnson, which left the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office role vacant after Dominic Raab was made justice secretary and deputy prime minister.
Back when she was secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Truss told Conservative Party members: “In December, I’ll be in Beijing, opening up new pork markets.”
The sentence was accompanied by a wide grin from Truss, who clearly expected applause, but it came a little too late.
And so, an awkward meme was born, one which the MP seems to have embraced since then, as she shared the “great news” that Mexico had opened up its market to British pork in early September.
Now, given that she’ll be travelling the world as foreign secretary, people have been quick to reference those famous two words:
Christ alive the foreign office is being run by Mrs Pork Markets
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) September 15, 2021
New York
— Col (@colken16) September 15, 2021
London
Paris
Munich
Everyone’s talkin bout
Pork Markets
Talk about
Pork Markets pic.twitter.com/eJRFnt5DwJ
Expect a large focus on pork markets in China https://t.co/k5gW4NeRMb
— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) September 15, 2021
Oh gawd, Liz Truss has just turned up as Raab left No 10
— I Am Incorrigible FCA (@ImIncorrigible) September 15, 2021
Looks like she's about to be made Foreign Secretary.
Mrs Cheese and Pork Markets could be the UKs top foreign diplomat.
Un-fkn-believable.#Reshuffle
Time to open up some pork markets. https://t.co/j67FI5F0hE
— System of a Lockdown (@Red__Tim) September 15, 2021
will the new Foreign Secretary be able to find Pork Markets on her globe?
— Alison K. Brown (@alisonkatebr) September 15, 2021
*Pork Markets intensifies* https://t.co/4AWqOirEhL
— Antimalarkistische Aktion (@richardcoops) September 15, 2021
— Kasey Moore (@kasey__moore) September 15, 2021
No news yet on cheese imports, either…
