Mick Clifford: Truss typified the politics of magic thinking

The latest example of the calibre of character who stepped forward to fill the void — rising to the top at a time of upheaval through a combination of neck, bluff, guile, charm, and luck

Liz Truss with her husband Hugh O’Leary, makes a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, where she announced her resignation as prime minister on Thursday. Picture: PA

There was a time when a Liz Truss wouldn’t have got next nor near Number 10 Downing Street. Her attributes would have seen her reach a career high as a minor junior minister. In such a world, nine out of 10 people would not have recognised her in a photo. (Come to think of it, nine out of 10 mightn’t even recognise her now).

She would have been the smiling face at the edge of the gathering in which party bigwigs crowd around their leader.