Liz Truss, the British Prime Minister, appoints a government of faithful – Le Monde

Top to bottom, left to right: UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman; Foreign Secretary James Cleverly; the Minister of Health, Thérèse Coffey; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, leave 10 Downing Street after a meeting with Liz Truss, September 6, 2022. ISABEL INFANTES / AFP Conservative Liz Truss officially became the 56th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (and the third woman in this position) around noon on Tuesday, September 6, during her first interview with the Queen, as is British constitutional tradition. This meeting took place at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, and not at Buckingham Palace, due to the health problems of the 96-year-old sovereign. Following the perfectly mastered choreography of the transfers of power across the Channel, Boris Johnson had preceded her by a few minutes in the summer residence of Elizabeth II to submit his resignation. Mrs. Truss immediately flew back to London, where, again according to custom, she gave her first speech as a leader in front of the door of 10 Downing Street, between two violent showers. ‘I know that together we can weather the storm, we can get our economy back on track and transform the UK into the modern, bright country that it can be,’ she said, recalling her pledge “bold” reforms and tax cuts to “boost growth”. The leader faces a dire economic situation, with a country likely already in recession and millions of Britons soon unable to pay astronomical energy bills. Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Liz Truss, a leader facing unprecedented challenges Beyond the protocol, the day was especially marked by the appointment of the Truss government: a matter quickly carried out because widely anticipated in recent days. First observation: the unprecedented diversity of this new firm. Since former Prime Minister David Cameron undertook, from 2005, to rejuvenate and feminize the Conservative Party as well as to promote more representatives of ethnic minorities, the appointments of political leaders of African or Asian origin in key positions have become commonplace. Under the Johnson era, Rishi Sunak, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Priti Patel, at the Home Office (Ministry of the Interior), were of Indian origin. Sajid Javid, in health, was from a Pakistani family. For the first time, four of the main positions in the Truss cabinet go to people with an immigrant background. Kwasi Kwarteng, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is of Ghanaian origin. At the Home Office, Suella Braverman is of Indian descent. James Cleverly, appointed foreign minister, is of Sierra Leonean origin. “This cabinet is proof that you can succeed in the Tory party regardless of your origin,” responded Samuel Kasumu, Mr. Johnson’s former diversity advisor. It remains to also diversify our electorate, it is decisive for the success of the party. You have 51.84% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.