The new prime minister made promises on the campaign trail she hoped would be forgotten. She is already paying the price
Liz Truss may not make an exciting or popular Tory leader, but she may have one thing going for her. She may be lucky. A mere 12% of voters expect her to be a good prime minister. But, just as Tony Blair was eased into Downing Street by his handling of the death of Diana (his “people’s princess”), so the death of the Queen could help Truss steady and establish herself.
As the nation enters a period of mourning – grossly oversold by the BBC – Westminster’s current political hysteria should calm. Truss’s crony cabinet can settle in. The Treasury can tend its wounds, while the media turns its attention to King Charles and the future of the monarchy.
Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist
