AND POP GO THE TORIES..
Most unpopular MP Truss is face of new right-wing mob
FORMER PM Liz Truss yesterday insisted the country is full of “secret” Conservatives who back her ideas, despite polls finding she’s the least popular politician.
As she launched yet another Tory faction, she claimed shy voters are “afraid to admit” right-wing ideals.
Ms Truss, who wrecked the economy in her 49 days as PM, is the face of the Popular Conservatism group – nicknamed the PopCons.
A Savanta poll showed she is the least popular major politician with a favourability rating of -54 – even worse than Rishi Sunak’s -27.
She accused the Government of “appeasing” left-wing extremists and urged Tory activists to “challenge from below what is happening”.
Ms Truss said Britain is “full of secret Conservatives, people who agree with us, but are afraid to admit it”.
Ex-Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson also spoke at yesterday’s launch, saying only the “odd weirdo” raises green issues on the doorstep.
And Tory rising star Mhairi Fraser, who has described Donald Trump as “incredibly refreshing”, lashed out at Mr Sunak’s smoking ban plan, adding: “It’s time to put nanny to bed.”
Ms Truss said ministers are too soft in taking on “left-wing extremists”, which she said included LGBTQ campaigners and environmentalists.
She added: “These people have repackaged themselves. They won’t admit being socialist or communist. They say they’re environmentalists.”
She included those “in favour of supporting LGBT people or groups of ethnic minorities” in this category.
Ms Truss told the audience: “Too many colleagues are looking at what jobs they get when they leave Parliament, they want to be popular at London dinner parties.”
She continued: “I never get invited to these parties.”
Ms Truss is the highest profile PopCons member.
But Chris Hopkins, of pollster Savanta, said: “It is ironic that Popular Conservatism couldn’t find a more unpopular spokesperson if it tried.” Ex-Home Secretary Priti Patel, Lord David Frost and ex-Tory whip Wendy Morton were among dozens of Conservatives in the audience.
Also watching on was Nigel Farage, who said: “I would agree with a lot of what is said on the platform this morning, but none of it is going to be Conservative manifesto policy.”
PopCons chief Mark Littlewood denied trying to destabilise the PM. The right-wing group joins at least five others in a deeply divided party.
People agree with us but are too afraid to admit it
LIZ TRUSS EX-PM AND FACE OF POPCONS