Cabinet reshuffle: Who is Liz Truss, Britain’s new foreign secretary?
There were changes galore amid Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle as ministers were moved, sacked, demoted and promoted.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson and housing secretary Robert Jenrick were among those who were removed from their posts.
And while he was demoted from foreign secretary and replaced by Liz Truss, Dominic Raab has replaced justice secretary Robert Buckland in the role.
Raab was also made deputy prime minister during the reshuffle.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the new foreign secretary, Liz Truss.
Who is Liz Truss?
Liz Truss is now the UK’s second woman foreign secretary and first female Conservative in the role. Her full name is Elizabeth Mary Truss.
She is 46 years old and has been in a variety of roles within Parliament, including trade secretary and secretary of state for women and equalities – a post that she will continue to hold.
The new foreign secretary has a husband and two daughters, and studied philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) at Merton College, Oxford.
Her parents are left-wing, and while she was initially active in student politics with the Liberal Democrats, she later shifted towards the Conservatives.
Having first entered Parliament in 2010, her new appointment is quite the promotion and one of the most coveted jobs in Cabinet.
Prior to her political career, Liz worked in the energy and telecommunications industry for 10 years as a commercial manager and economics director. She is also a qualified management accountant.
What is a Foreign Secretary?
According to the government website, The Foreign Secretary has overall responsibility for the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, so it’s no easy task.
The appointed person must look after the UK’s relations with foreign governments and states.
The main responsibilities include:
- Strategy Directorate
- National security
- Intelligence
- Honours
- Europe
- All major spending decisions, and overall delivery and management of the 0.5% of Gross National Income spending for Official Development Assistance (ODA)
- Working with and supporting international partners on the global response to COVID-19
The former foreign secretary received backlash for being on holiday while Brits were stranded amid the Afghanistan crisis.
What are Liz Truss’ policies as Foreign Secretary?
Though she’s only just been appointed foreign secretary, Liz already has already revealed some of her aims and policies.
On Wednesday, 15 September, she tweeted: ‘Looking forward to: Working with allies to tackle the greatest global challenges, Promoting a positive, outward-looking #GlobalBritain, Ensuring our foreign policy delivers for people across’.
Some of her views she has previously stated include wanting to secure a trade deal with the US, and some rather strong beliefs about China and its status as a developed country.
She told the Financial Times: ‘It is ludicrous that it is still self-designating as a developing country.
‘This is the time to get tough on China and their behaviour in the global trading system.’
And, after previously backing the UK remaining in the European Union, she now wants the UK to use the opportunity to transform its economy.
In a statement outlining Britain’s new trade policy on Tuesday, September 14, she said: ‘Our best way forward is free trade and free enterprise. And I’m pleased to say that people across Britain increasingly agree.’
MORE : Liz Truss has big smile on her face as she arrives for first day as Foreign Secretary
MORE : Truss gets Raab’s job as Boris sacks Williamson in Cabinet reshuffle
MORE : Boris announces ‘landmark’ new defence partnership with US and Australia
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below