Every time a woman ascends to a position of power, an important step towards gender equality is taken. Liz Truss became the third woman chosen as prime minister of the United Kingdom, a nation ruled by a queen. However, it is necessary to contain the enthusiasm. One cannot expect qualitative advances in this agenda: Truss is more of the same.
Considered a “chameleon”, she began her political trajectory in leftist movements. At Oxford University, she migrated to the Liberal Democrat party and spoke out against the monarchy. Among conservatives, however, she embraced a neoliberal and nationalist agenda. A member of the British Parliament since 2010, she has held six ministerial posts. Opposing Brexit in 2016, she is now considered an enemy of Brussels. She was one of the few loyalists to Boris Johnson until the end. Oh, and became a fan of the crown (of course!).
It is notable that the only three women to ascend to the post were from the Conservative Party. From the profile of Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May and Liz Truss, one might suspect that there is a space in British politics —very marginal—for those who embrace conservatism, dialogue with liberalism and, above all, do not question the patriarchal structure of society.
This observation becomes clear when analyzing Truss’s appointment. To the surprise of those who consider democracy an exercise of the majority, only 0.3% of the population participated in this choice. The group represents just over 160,000 party members, mostly middle-aged white men from the south of England or London. Hard to imagine that they would elect a progressive and feminist woman to lead the legend.
Another coincidence is the choice of women in times of crisis. When Thatcher was appointed in 1979, the United Kingdom was suffering strong inflationary pressure and an increase in public debt, impacted by the oil shock, in a context of the Cold War. The so-called “iron lady” took a hard line, with controversial austerity measures, and served three terms, until 1990.
May, on the other hand, ascended to the post following the resignation of David Cameron in 2016, who claimed he did not have the legitimacy to lead the Brexit process, when he had called the referendum. She ruled in a context of political polarization and obscurity and for two years she engaged in incessant dialogue with Brussels and Westminster.
With the party’s support lost, he resigned in 2018. Boris Johnson continued the game and concluded the negotiations. However, scandals of parties and home renovations, ill-timed speech and inaction in the face of harassment cases led to his resignation in July, which brings him closer to Liz Truss.
The scenario she will have to manage is extremely troubled. The UK faces the highest inflation in 40 years, estimated at 10%. The Ukrainian War accentuates the energy security crisis. The increase in prices in the sector exceeds 40%. The arrival of winter heralds a humanitarian catastrophe, especially if sanctions against Russia continue — and Truss has declared that he supports them. Added to this is a deficit in the public budget, accentuated by the economic measures adopted in the pandemic.
With no resources and with emergency problems, the new prime minister declared that she intends to reduce the collection of taxes, which favors the upper classes. She stated that she will strengthen the production of fossil fuels, contrary to the sustainability agenda that the UK is leading. She will maintain the controversial immigration policy, flexibly negotiate new agreements with the European Union and try to get closer to Washington.
If that agenda is confirmed, Truss will prove to be even more conservative than his predecessor, pleasing the more traditional wings of the party but creating greater friction with the opposition. It is good that she does not forget the 99.7% of the population who did not participate in the nomination, but will be attentive to her management. Especially women.
