Brits ‘have to work harder’
Old tapes embarrass Truss

08/18/2022, 11:18 (updated)

Liz Truss’s chances of becoming the new Tory leader and prime minister may have diminished. Recently released audio documents in which she made unflattering comments about the British workforce have left the British Foreign Secretary with a difficult moment of explanation.

Earlier comments by British Chancellor Liz Truss on workers have embarrassed the favorite in the race to succeed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In an audio recording published by The Guardian newspaper, Truss says that British workers lack “skill and enthusiasm”. The “mindset and attitude” of British workers is partly responsible for the country’s relatively low productivity.

There is a fundamental problem with the “British work culture”, Truss said in the remarks, which stem from her time as the top Treasury representative between 2017 and 2019. British workers would have to “work harder”. “If you go to China, it’s quite different, I can guarantee you that.” After the sound recording was released, people close to Truss said the comments were “half a decade old” and that “context” was missing. But there is no doubt that Britain needs to improve its productivity.

Truss is currently in a runoff election against former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak for the leadership of the Tory Conservative Party. Anyone who replaces the resigned Johnson will automatically become British Prime Minister. Polls see Truss clearly ahead of Sunak. The result of the postal vote among Tory members is expected on September 5.

(This article was first published on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.)