Johnson successor
Candidate Truss criticized for comment on work ethic
Liz Truss, UK Foreign Secretary and candidate to succeed Prime Minister Johnson. photo
© Jacob King/PA Wire/dpa
She saw a “fundamental problem” in the work culture in Great Britain – and called for “a little more hard work”. Now there is criticism of the candidate for Johnson’s successor.
The most promising candidate to succeed outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, has come under fire for an earlier comment on Britain’s work ethic. In a recording leaked to the Guardian newspaper, the current Foreign Secretary can be heard attributing the comparatively low productivity in Great Britain to the supposedly poor work ethic of her compatriots.
“There is a fundamental problem with British work culture,” Truss said in an interview with government officials. “British workers” lack competence and commitment, especially outside of London. “A little more hard work” is required. The “Guardian” left open when exactly the recording came from. However, it is likely to have been created between mid-2017 and mid-2019.
The Labor opposition called the comments “grossly offensive”. A member of Truss’ team responded that the comments were taken out of context. The foreign minister is considered the favorite in a duel with ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak. Conservative Party members have until September 5 to decide which of the two Johnsons will take office.
The statement isn’t the only verbal misstep from the past that has now caught up with Truss. At the beginning of her career, she advocated the abolition of the royal family.
Report in the Guardian Report on the Sky News website Report on Truss’s statements about the monarchy