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Liz Truss speaking outside 10 Downing Street, London, this afternoon. PA
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liz Truss rewards allies in cabinet reshuffle following first speech as UK PM

Truss set out the agenda for her premiership in her first speech since taking office earlier today.
3.50pm, 6 Sep 2022
53.4k
18

LAST UPDATE | 6 Sep 2022

NEW UK PRIME minister Liz Truss has rewarded allies with top cabinet positions and dumped a number of prominent supporters of her former rival Rishi Sunak in a government reshuffle.

The former foreign secretary appointed Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor and Therese Coffey as Deputy Prime Minister and Health Secretary, as she made James Cleverly her successor as Foreign Secretary today.

Former attorney general Suella Braverman was appointed Home Secretary, replacing Priti Patel after she pre-emptively resigned.

The appointments came after Truss despatched Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps, George Eustice and Steve Barclay to the backbenches after they supported Sunak in the Tory leadership contest.

Truss was appointed as Prime Minister by the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II earlier today after winning the Conservative leadership contest.

She then set out the agenda for her premiership in her first speech since taking office.

The 47-year-old laid out domestic policies, including tax cuts, bolstering the NHS and financial supports to help people cope with rising energy prices.

The Irish government, the EU and leaders across Europe were parsing through Truss’s comments for insight into how she intends to handle diplomatic relations with the UK’s neighbours.

However, the speech contained no detail on the UK’s relationship with Europe. 

The speech did mention the war in Ukraine with the new UK Prime Minister saying she is determined to stand up for freedom and democracy in the face of Russian aggression.

Truss – who was the architect of a bill to override parts of the UK’s Brexit withdrawal deal – has been hawkish in her dealings with Europe and dispatches from Brussels suggest EU officials have low expectations of an improvement in relations.

6 Sep 2022 3:56PM

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Liz Truss setting out the stall for her leadership of the UK.

Truss was invited to form a new government by the British queen at Balmoral, Scotland, earlier today. 

She is due to make her first speech as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street at about 4pm.

In a statement earlier today, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen received in audience The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP today and requested her to form a new administration.

“Ms Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon her appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”

6 Sep 2022 3:58PM

liz-truss-becomes-pm The media gathered outside no 10 Downing Street, London, this afternoon. PA PA

Here’s the scene outside Downing Street as the media wait in the rain for Truss to make her speech.

6 Sep 2022 4:01PM

Reports from Press Association suggest Truss is planning to freeze energy bills at around the £2,500 (€2,910) mark. This figure would be approximately £500 (€582) higher than current levels but more than £1,000 (€1,164) below next month’s cap.

Details have not yet been finalised, but the plan is expected to be funded through general taxation or increased borrowing rather than paid for in future energy bills.

6 Sep 2022 4:07PM

Meanwhile in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has promised to bring in emergency legislation to introduce a rent freeze as part of a package of measures to tackle the “humanitarian emergency” sparked by inflation.

This crisis is pushing millions into poverty; It is threatening the viability of businesses; And it will almost certainly push the UK economy into recession.

“It poses a danger, not just to livelihoods, but to lives. It is to be blunt a humanitarian emergency,” Sturgeon said in her programme for government speech today.

6 Sep 2022 4:11PM

The plane carrying Truss down from Scotland has landed at a Royal Air Force station in north London and the new UK leader is set to travel to Downing Street by motorcade.

6 Sep 2022 4:16PM

Ever wonder what it’s like for the journalists covering a big political announcement such as Truss’s upcoming speech in front of 10 Downing Street? Matt Chorley of The Times has given an update from the scene over on Twitter.

6 Sep 2022 4:18PM

Good stat.

Mary Truss has replaced Alexander Johnson.

6 Sep 2022 4:24PM

There’s a new Prime Minister in number 10 and there’s also a new podium for speeches to be made from.

The eye-catching design is already causing something of a stir on social media.

6 Sep 2022 4:38PM

Truss’s motorcade is still weaving its way through London and hundreds of reporters are still waiting on Downing Street.

All politics is local:

6 Sep 2022 4:43PM

The motorcade’s arrival appears to be imminent as Truss’s team of advisors are now standing outside the front of 11 Downing Street.

6 Sep 2022 4:51PM

The weather isn’t being kind to those gathered on Downing Street as a heavy downpour has been unleashed.

The podium has been covered in black plastic in a bid to keep it dry.

6 Sep 2022 4:54PM

With the downpour intensifying, the podium has now been removed. 

The MPs who gathered in the street to welcome Truss have now moved indoors. The speech looks set to be delayed.

6 Sep 2022 5:01PM

Boris Johnson’s sister has had her say on the unfortunate timing of the rain.

6 Sep 2022 5:03PM

As the downpour abates, the podium has now been placed back in position outside 10 Downing Street. Truss looks set to make her speech outside, as originally planned.

Therese Coffey, who is widely expected to be named Truss’s deputy prime minister, has now emerged from Number 11 ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival.

6 Sep 2022 5:09PM

After all of that, Truss’s motorcade has finally arrived on Downing Street.

The rain is holding off as the new Prime Minister prepares to start her speech.

6 Sep 2022 5:12PM

Truss has begun her speech by paying tribute to her predecessor, Boris Johnson.

She said she was honoured to take on the role “at a vital time for our country” and laid out some domestic policies.

“Now is the time to tackle the issues that are holding Britain back. We need to build roads homes and broadband faster,” Truss said.

6 Sep 2022 5:14PM

As flagged earlier, Truss has promised to help people deal with “unaffordable energy bills”.

Meanwhile, a car horn sounds in the background.

6 Sep 2022 5:14PM

Truss has now wrapped up her brief speech, which was notably devoid of comment on the UK’s relations with its neighbours in Europe.

6 Sep 2022 5:18PM

US President Joe Biden – who has been silent on Truss until now –has congratulated new UK Prime Minister.

“I look forward to deepening the special relationship between our countries and working in close co-operation on global challenges, including continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression,” Biden said.

6 Sep 2022 5:25PM

Truss listed her three early priorities as tax cuts and reforms, dealing with soaring energy bills and securing the energy supply, and putting the NHS “on a firm footing”.

“Firstly, I will get Britain working again. 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 said.

6 Sep 2022 5:32PM

Truss noted in her speech that the UK is facing “severe global headwinds” as a result of the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said she was determined to stand up for freedom and democracy in the face of Russian aggression.

“What makes the United Kingdom great is our fundamental belief in freedom, in enterprise and in fair play. Our people have shown grit and determination time and time again,” Truss said.

“United with our allies we will stand up for freedom and democracy around the world recognising the we can’t have security at home without security abroad.”

6 Sep 2022 5:45PM

Further to Biden’s congratulatory message, the White House has confirmed that the US President will congratulate the new UK leader in an upcoming phone call.

6 Sep 2022 5:50PM

Not long after walking through the door of No 10 Downing Street, Truss is headed to the House of Commons to sack the Cabinet ministers she doesn’t want to keep.

Sky News’ Beth Rigby says that she expects the new Cabinet to begin arriving at No 10 within the next hour.

6 Sep 2022 5:59PM

We’ve got a fairly big player returning to the backbenches here.

Dominic Raab, the former Minister for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister under Boris Johnson, said that he would be heading to the Tory backbenches.

He has wished the new PM luck though and says he will continue to support the UK Government.

6 Sep 2022 6:05PM

Earlier this afternoon, Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Truss on becoming Prime Minister.

In a statement he said: 

A shared history and close ties of people, of economy, and of culture link our two countries. A strong partnership between our two Governments is vital to underpin the Good Friday Agreement and support peace and prosperity on these islands. 

I hope we can use the period ahead to prioritise EU-UK engagement, and to reach agreed outcomes on the issues around implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

I am committed to a strong and deep relationship between our countries, and to working in an open and constructive way with Prime Minister Truss. 

An Taoiseach said that he was looking forward to an “early engagement” with Truss and that he would be working closely with her around issues in Ireland and the UK.

6 Sep 2022 6:11PM

We’ve got a photo of the new UK Prime Minister Truss and her husband Hugh O’Leary this evening, following her maiden speech outside No 10 Downing Street.

liz-truss-becomes-pm PA PA

6 Sep 2022 6:17PM

We’ve got another two senior members of Boris Johnson’s government heading to the backbenches this evening: Grant Shapps and Steve Barclay.

Shapps, the former Transport Secretary, made the announcement on Twitter this evening, saying that he was going to be a “strong, independent voice on the backbenches”.

Barclay, who was made Health Secretary after the resignation of Sajid Javid, is also heading to the backbenches and has wished Truss “every success for the future”.

6 Sep 2022 6:22PM

In the last few minutes, we’ve had some significant figures enter through the doors of No 10 Downing Street.

They are Kwasi Kwarteng and Suella Braverman, who are being widely tipped by the UK media to take on senior roles within the new UK Government.

Kwarteng is expected to be made Chancellor of the Exchequer while Braverman is expected to become the new Home Secretary.

6 Sep 2022 6:47PM

There have been a few Truss allies entering No 10 in the last few minutes.

Therese Coffey, James Cleverly and Wendy Morton have all entered through the black doors of No 10, with significant speculation around what roles each will receive.

Coffey is speculated to be made both Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.

However, in the last few minutes, Cleverly told Sky News that he will be remaining as Education Secretary, despite speculation that he would be made the Foreign Secretary.

6 Sep 2022 6:59PM

Sky News has now retracted its report that Cleverly is set to remain as Education Secretary. The broadcaster explained that the footage it played was recorded earlier today.

Alastair Campbell has spilled the beans on how the mistake played out behind the scenes at Sky. The former Labour public relations boss was on the channel to discuss how Labour would handle Truss’s first appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions.

6 Sep 2022 7:03PM

The ‘Levelling up’ secretary Greg Clark is the latest minister to announce that he’s been axed from cabinet.

Clark has only been in the job since July but he previously served in Theresa May’s Cabinet.

His booting was expected when Truss won the Tory leadership race as he is seen as less enthusiastic about Brexit than many Truss supporters.

6 Sep 2022 7:33PM

The appointments continue along expected lines with Suella Braverman appointed as home secretary.

Braverman backed Truss when she was eliminated from the Tory leadership contest.

6 Sep 2022 7:42PM

The UK’s new Health Secretary Therese Coffey has sidestepped questions about whether she’s prepared for strikes in the health service.

Coffey, who has also been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, was asked by Sky News whether she is ready for strikes.

Coffey said: “I think we’ve got to be ready for patients and that’s my top priority, and how we can make best use of our department and of course the NHS in order to achieve the best outcomes for them.”

Asked what her message is to potentially demoralised NHS staff, Coffey she recognised “they’ve done excellent work” and repeated her priorities.

6 Sep 2022 8:03PM

Shailesh Vara’s brief time as Northern Ireland secretary has come to an end. Vara was promoted from the backbenches when Brandon Lewis resigned in July. He will now return to the backbenches.

Meanwhile, Lewis has now been appointed as justice secretary. In further expected developments, Ben Wallace will remain as defence secretary while Wendy Morton has been promoted from transport minister to chief whip.

6 Sep 2022 8:07PM

Shailesh Vara’s replacement Northern Ireland secretary looks set to be Chris Heaton-Harris.

Gavan Reilly of Virgin Media News notes that Heaton-Harris is a respected referee, a skillset that might come in useful in Northern Ireland politics. 

6 Sep 2022 8:28PM

Nadhim Zahawi – who briefly held the  Chancellor post at the end of Boris Johnson’s premiership– 

has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as well as minister for intergovernmental relations.

 

Penny Mordaunt has also been appointed Leader of the House of Commons.

6 Sep 2022 8:31PM

The wife of Johnny Mercer has weighed in on his sacking as Minister for Veteran’s Affairs and she’s not happy.

6 Sep 2022 9:18PM

Liz Truss has accepted Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s invitation to Ukraine.

The UK prime minister’s office said in a statement that Truss has reiterated the UK’s “steadfast support for Ukraine’s freedom and democracy”.

“In her first call with a counterpart since becoming Prime Minister, she reiterated to the Ukrainian leader that he had her full backing, and Ukraine could depend on the UK’s assistance for the long term,” the statement added.

“President Zelensky thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s staunch support and congratulated her on her appointment.

“The leaders discussed the need to strengthen global security and the measures necessary to cut off the funds fuelling Putin’s war machine.

“She praised the Ukrainians’ fight for sovereignty and self-determination and said it was essential Ukraine succeeds and Russia fails.

“The Prime Minister said she looked forward to working with the President in the coming weeks and months and was delighted to accept an invitation to visit President Zelensky in Ukraine soon.”

6 Sep 2022 9:25PM

The latest politician out the door of Number 10 is Jacob Rees-Mogg who has been appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

6 Sep 2022 9:53PM

With all the major posts filled we’re going to close off the coverage this evening.

The latest round of appointments has seen the levelling up secretary job handed to Simon Clarke, Chloe Smith has been appointed work and pensions secretary and Kemi Badenoch has been named international trade secretary.

Badenoch gained traction during the Conservative leadership contest, running on an “anti-woke” platform.

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Author
Céimin Burke
ceimin@thejournal.ie
@CeiminB
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