The leader of a faction within the Conservative Party, dubbed the “Turnip Taliban,” and aiming to unseat Liz Truss in her Norfolk constituency, has launched a scathing attack against the former prime minister.
James Bagge, who intends to contest Ms. Truss as an independent candidate in South West Norfolk in the upcoming general election, criticized her for what he perceives as cozying up to right-wing extremists in the United States.
Bagge condemned Truss for her recent appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland on February 22, accusing her of aligning herself with figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage.
He also took issue with her portrayal of a “British deep state” during the event, a term reminiscent of Trump’s rhetoric, which she used to attribute blame for the economic challenges that marked her brief tenure as Prime Minister in 2022.
As a lawyer and former army officer, Bagge’s remarks underscore a growing dissent within the party ranks and highlight the widening divisions over ideological alignment and leadership direction.
According to Mr. Bagge, Liz Truss bears full responsibility for her political demise, attributing it to what he describes as her lack of sound judgment.
Contrary to Truss’s assertions, Bagge argues that the institutions she criticized actually acted as safeguards against what he perceives as her imprudent policies.
“Ms Truss talks of democratically elected governments unable to enact policies because they have been blocked by the ‘economic establishment’ and of a civil service populated by activists,” he added.
“Her problem, which she fails to acknowledge, is that she enacted a policy of her own choice, despite warnings, and then immediately tried to pin the blame on her hapless chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng. But it was the financial markets, not the establishment, which determined the failure of her completely ruinous mini-Budget – and it was the actions of those she now dismisses that saved the day, namely the Bank of England and the Treasury.”
James Bagge
Liz Truss’ Lack Of Personal Accountability
Adding to his criticism, Mr. Bagge, aged 71, characterized Liz Truss as lacking discernment and refusing to shoulder personal accountability.
His remarks stem from a history of discontent within local Conservative circles dating back to 2009.
Mr. Bagge, along with other notable local Conservatives, resigned from the party in protest against Truss’s selection as the candidate for South West Norfolk.
They contended that Truss had been imposed upon them by Tory headquarters, without consideration for her lack of ties to the area and amidst allegations of an extramarital affair with a married Tory MP.
This episode led to Truss’s detractors in the East Anglian agricultural constituency being derisively labeled the “Turnip Taliban.”
Mr. Bagge leveled accusations of double standards against Ms. Truss regarding her participation in the US rally, which drew thousands of Trump supporters along with former Ukip leader Nigel Farage.
She “declares her support for Trump” – who is expected to reduce aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia if he becomes president next year – “while demanding assistance for Ukraine”, he said.
“She cavorts with right-wing extremists, sharing a platform and declaring kinship with Farage, Trump, and others,” Bagge added.
At the CPAC gathering, Ms Truss remarked that conservatives in both the US and the UK need a “bigger bazooka” with which to fight the left.
She said, “Unless conservatives become more active in speaking out, Western civilization is doomed.”
Mr Bagge is holding a series of public meetings in Norfolk to win support for his challenge against Ms Truss.
If he defeated her, it would be one of the biggest election upsets of all time.
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