Liz Truss thinks UK workers need ‘more graft’ – these 15 reactions deliver for Britain
A 2019 recording of Tory leadership race frontrunner Liz Truss shows her criticising British workers for not putting in enough effort.
The Guardian got the scoop.
Pippa Crerar, whose work at the Mirror drove several crucial Partygate developments, shared the breaking news from her new journalistic home.
EXCL: Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss suggested British workers lack the “graft” of their foreign rivals, leaked recording reveals.https://t.co/ruxHm6ffZQ
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) August 16, 2022
Liz Truss: “There’s a fundamental issue of British working culture. If we’re going to be a more prosperous country, that needs to change. But I don’t think people are that keen to change that… What needs to happen is more graft”.
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) August 16, 2022
It’s not a surprise. As the co-author, with Kwasi Kwarteng, Priti Patel, Dominic Raab, Chris Skidmore, of the 2012 economics book Britannia Unchained: Global Lessons for Growth and Prosperity, Truss held collective responsibility for the words –
The British are among the worst idlers in the world. We work among the lowest hours, we retire early and our productivity is poor. Whereas Indian children aspire to be doctors or businessmen, the British are more interested in football and pop music.
Both quotes are at odds with Liz Truss’ recent insistence that the UK’s detractors are resonsible for its woes.
Liz Truss last week: "I believe in Britain, unlike some of the media who choose to talk our country down." pic.twitter.com/AX3ggL1bCS
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) August 16, 2022
The leaked audio got the reaction you’d expect.
1.
Liz Truss has once again been misrepresented by the media, who blatantly reported what she said on an audio recording when clearly she meant the opposite. https://t.co/A6hNdU4maw
— Parody Boris (@Parody_PM) August 17, 2022
2.
It's curious how little regard those who most loudly claim to love their country actually demonstrate towards those people who actually embody it. https://t.co/b0TaFnoI17
— Stephen McGann💙 (@StephenMcGann) August 16, 2022
3.
When will people would stop talking our country down? https://t.co/vVzkV4ptMc
— THE SECRET TORY 🇬🇧 (@secrettory12) August 16, 2022
4.
They just hate everyone. It's not political, it's psychological. https://t.co/w5hww5l5SJ
— James Oh Brien (@mrjamesob) August 16, 2022
5.
None of these politicians would know a hard day’s graft if their lives depended on it. No clue about the real world. Try living on minimum wage, working every day, commuting, struggling to pay bills when you don’t get driven everywhere with everything on expenses. https://t.co/RAwWtik16r
— James Moran (@jamesmoran) August 16, 2022
6.
She is Boris without the game shows. https://t.co/uUarys6i2Q
— Aditya Chakrabortty (@chakrabortty) August 16, 2022
7.
She's going to be the best present Labour could ever wish for. https://t.co/uHd49PYd7O
— Captain Howdy (@MajorPazuzu) August 16, 2022
8.
So what if a leaked recording has shown that I think British workers lack the graft of their foreign rivals? Aren't you glad you're getting a prime minister who thinks you're all fucking lazy and hates you?
— Parody Liz Truss (@LizTruss_MP) August 16, 2022