LIZ Truss has said she believes Britain can “ride out the storm” in her maiden speech as Prime Minister.
Speaking on the steps of Downing Street on Tuesday after a long journey back from Balmoral where she was appointed by the Queen, Truss said she wanted to make Britain an “aspiration nation”.
She faces enormous crises as she settles into Number 10, with the threat of recession on the horizon as inflation soars to more than 10% and households face the threat of their energy bills increasing by 80% come October.
Plans leaked to friendly newspapers suggest the new PM plans to freeze household bills at £2500, though this has not been confirmed.
She did not address those reports in her clipped speech in London on Tuesday evening, instead making vague pledges to “rebuild” the UK economy.
Riders on the storm
Truss said: “I’m confident that together we can ride out the storm, we can rebuild our economy and we can become the modern brilliant Britain that I know we can be.
“This is our vital mission to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations. I’m determined to deliver.”
Soundtracked by protesters at the security gate of Downing Street who played Tears for Fears 1983 hit Mad World while blasting air horns, Truss said Britain needed to build “roads, homes and broadband faster”.
Prior to her election, her pledges to tackle the cost-of-living crisis were focused on tax cuts and growing the economy, something she focused on in her speech on Tuesday.
She outlined three major priorities, which were to cut and reform tax, deal with energy prices, and tackling the crisis in the NHS south of the Border.
Dig for Britain?
“Firstly, I will get Britain working again,” she said. “I have a bold plan to grow the economy through tax cuts and reform.
“I will cut taxes to reward hard work and boost business-led growth and investment.
“I will drive reform in my mission to get the United Kingdom working, building and growing.
“We will get spades in the ground to make sure people are not facing unaffordable energy bills and we will also make sure that we are building hospitals, schools, roads and broadband.”
Truss added: “We shouldn’t be daunted by the challenges we face.
“As strong as the storm may be, I know that the British people are stronger.
“Our country was built by people who get things done. We have huge reserves of talent, of energy and determination.”
Truss is facing calls from opponents to call an early General Election, something she is unlikely to do as yet.
Though some Tory MPs have warned she could face a backbench rebellion by Christmas if she fails to get a grip on the cost-of-living crisis and unite the party, which suffered deep divisions during the leadership election.
