LIZ Truss cheered Tory backbenchers yesterday as she tore into Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over tax rises at her first Prime Minister’s Questions.
She managed to get straight on the front foot, as she set out her mission to “get Britain moving”.
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In a packed Commons chamber, the new leader vowed to turbocharge the economy, and rejected Starmer’s criticism of her plan to halt rises to Corporation Tax.
Ms Truss said: “There is nothing new about a Labour leader who is calling for more tax rises. It is the same old tax and spend.”
Tory MPs — worried her delivery style might appear wooden — later took to social media to praise the performance.
She was given a helping hand by ex-PM Theresa May, who said: “Why does she think it is that all three female prime ministers have been Conservative?”
Truss replied: “It is quite extraordinary isn’t it, that there doesn’t seem to be the ability in the Labour Party to find a female leader or indeed a leader who doesn’t come from North London.”
Later Truss made more ministerial appointments including self-styled Brexit hardman Steve Baker as a minister in the Northern Ireland Office.
She offered an olive branch to supporters of Rishi Sunak as she unveiled the junior ranks in her government.
Ex-Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick was made a health minister and Victoria Prentis a welfare minister.
Ex-chief whip Mark Spencer was appointed as an environment minister with Will Quince made a health minister.
Ms Truss had been warned of a divided party if she didn’t bring in Sunak supporters.
