Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has responded after a viral prank disrupted her book tour event, sparking a heated debate over free speech. Here’s the full story.
Truss Can’t Escape Her Past
After losing her seat at the last general election, Liz Truss, the UK’s shortest-serving Prime Minister, has attempted to carve out a niche for herself as a right-wing commentator and author. However, she cannot seem to escape her past.
Infamous Lettuce Comparison
Truss, who infamously lasted less time in office than a lettuce live streamed by the Daily Star newspaper as her premiership and the economy fell apart around her, was recently thrust back into the spotlight following a protest at her recent book tour event.
Book Tour Interrupted
The event, aimed at promoting her book Ten Years to Save the West, which garnered much praise from right-wing libertarians, particularly in the US, but has stubbornly refused to become a bestseller so far, was interrupted by a politically charged protest prank, which has thrust Truss back into the unflinching gaze of the media.
“I Crashed the Economy”
As Truss discussed her support for former US President and convicted felon Donald Trump, a banner unfurled behind her emblazoned with the words “I crashed the economy,” and, what else, a lettuce.
Truss Misses the Point
In a damning indication of Truss’ complete lack of political awareness, the banner initially went unnoticed by Truss until laughter from the audience eventually drew her attention to it.
Truss Reacts Angrily
Truss, visibly annoyed, stated, “That’s not funny,” before taking off her microphone and unceremoniously exiting the stage.
Truss’s Response on X
Following the incident, Truss took to social media to voice her frustrations, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “What happened last night was not funny. Far-left activists disrupted the event, which then had to be stopped for security reasons. This is done to intimidate people and suppress free speech. I won’t stand for it.”
“Would We See the Same?”
She added, “Would we see the same reaction if the activists were far-right?”
Misidentifies Led by Donkeys
It is perhaps unsurprising that Truss, who, if her disastrous economic policies are anything to go by, does not always appear to be the most detail-oriented person, misidentified Led By Donkeys, the group responsible for the stunt, as a far-left group when their stated mission is actually to reverse Brexit and point out political hypocrisy.
“A Huge Supporter of Free Speech”
Led By Donkeys confirmed their involvement with a statement: “Liz Truss appears to be a huge supporter of free speech up to the point she encounters it.”
Prank’s Purpose Explained
Similarly, the group’s co-founder, Ben Stewart, explained to the PA news agency that the prank was organised to raise awareness of “Liz Truss aligning herself with Trump and the far right in America.”
“Best Approach Is Laughter”
He added, “Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, one of the best approaches to the far right is to laugh at them.”
7 Million Views
In that regard, the Led By Donkeys have been successful, with their post on X claiming responsibility for the stunt being viewed over 7 million times.
Truss Aligns With US Right
This is not the first time that Liz Truss has spoken out in favour of Trump. The former Prime Minister has increasingly aligned herself with the American right following her pivot to US politics after her disastrous tenure in Number 10.
Public Rejects Truss Endorsement
Truss’s decision to seek her fame and fortune abroad is perhaps unsurprising when, in a recent Ipsos poll which aimed to gauge public support for the ongoing Conservative leadership race, a remarkable 65% of respondents indicated that an endorsement by Truss would harm the campaign of either of the six contenders.
Concerns Over Far-Right Alignment
However, Truss’s alignment with Trump and the American right has drawn harsh criticism from groups like Led By Donkeys and others, who view her stance as being increasingly aligned with dangerous far-right populism.
Free Speech Debate Reignited
Despite worries over Truss’s seeming drift to the right, the incident has reignited the debate over the limits of free speech and political protest.
Lettuce Banner Not Intimidating
While Led By Donkeys has defended its actions as a legitimate form of peaceful protest, some, particularly commentators on the right, have questioned whether such disruptions infringe on politicians’ rights to express their views without fear of intimidation.
A Funny Yet Concerning Incident
Though the lettuce banner prank at Liz Truss’ expense was undoubtedly funny, the continued attention it gives the former Prime Minister and her increasingly far-right views should be a cause for concern.
Will It Backfire?
It remains to be seen whether this latest embarrassing incident involving Truss will further weaken her political standing or, as is often the case when someone is frequently an object of ridicule, whether it might cause the public to pity her, drawing attention to her message and giving her ideas more publicity.
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