In her final speech outside 10 Downing Street, Liz Truss struck a defiant tone and took credit for protecting people from rising energy bills.CreditCredit...Frank Augstein/Associated Press
Liz
Truss spoke outside Downing Street on Tuesday morning as she prepared to
formally resign as Britain’s prime minister. She struck a defiant tone after a
turbulent six-week tenure, making no expression of regret for the market
turmoil her tax-cutting policies set off.
Here’s
what she said:
It
has been a huge honor to be the prime minister of this great country.
In
particular, to lead the nation in mourning the death of her late majesty the
queen after 70 years of service, and welcoming the accession of his majesty
King Charles III.
In
just a short period, this government has acted urgently and decisively on the
side of hardworking families and businesses.
We
reversed the National Insurance increase.
We
helped millions of households with their energy bills and helped thousands of
businesses avoid bankruptcy.
We
are taking back our energy independence so we are never again beholden to
global market fluctuations or malign foreign powers.
From
my time as prime minister, I am more convinced than ever we need to be bold and
confront the challenges that we face.
As
the Roman philosopher Seneca wrote: “It is not because things are difficult
that we do not dare. It is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”
We
simply cannot afford to be a low-growth country where the government takes up
an increasing share of our national wealth and where there are huge divides
between different parts of our country.
We
need to take advantage of our Brexit freedoms to do things differently.
This
means delivering more freedom for our own citizens and restoring power in
democratic institutions.
It
means lower taxes, so people keep more of the money they earn.
It
means delivering growth that will lead to more job security, higher wages and
greater opportunities for our children and grandchildren.
Democracies
must be able to deliver for their own people.
We
must be able to outcompete autocratic regimes, where power lies in the hands of
a few.
And
now more than ever we must support Ukraine in their brave fight against Putin’s
aggression.
Ukraine
must prevail.
And
we must continue to strengthen our nation’s defenses.
That
is what I have been striving to achieve and I wish Rishi Sunak every success,
for the good of our country.
I
want to thank Hugh, Frances, Liberty, my family and friends, and all the team
at No. 10 for their love, friendship and support.
I
also want to thank my protection team.
I
look forward to spending more time in my constituency and continuing to serve
South West Norfolk from the backbenches.
Our
country continues to battle through a storm.
But
I believe in Britain.
I
believe in the British people.
And
I know that brighter days lie ahead.
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