Anyone who believes in strengthening the relationship between Britain and Israel should be delighted by the appointment of Liz Truss as the new Foreign Secretary.
Her promotion comes just a few weeks after a brilliant visit to Israel to kick start talks on a new bespoke post-Brexit trade deal.
Talk to anyone in Downing Street and you’ll hear her described as “one of the government’s deliverers”, someone who “just gets on with it and gets things done”.
Her stature has grown to such an extent that she now regularly tops polls of Conservative Party members’ approval ratings and is increasingly talked of as a future Prime Minister. Watching her in action in Israel, I could see why.
She was completely in command of the intricacies of the complex trading relationship between Britain and Israel, no mean feat when she is juggling detailed negotiations with hundreds of countries and has already signed more than 60 post-Brexit trade agreements – ideal preparation for her new role as the UK’s most senior diplomat.
That’s a measure of the fierce intellect that took her from a comprehensive school in Leeds to Oxford, and then on to a successful career as an economist for Shell and then Cable and Wireless before winning a safe seat in Norfolk. She has now served continuously in Cabinet longer than any other minister.
She holds strong and clear views that go down well with her party. She is an unabashed champion of free trade and the jobs and prosperity it generates and one of the few members of the Cabinet prepared to argue against the recent hike in National Insurance. She has always believed in the importance of a strong relationship with the USA in defending freedom and promoting democracy and forged important links with the Biden administration during another recent visit.
She has stood up for human rights in relation to China and understand clearly the threats posed by countries such as Russia and Iran. And there is no doubt about her support for Israel and its right to defend itself.
As Equalities Minister, she speaks out clearly in defence of women’s rights and against racism and prejudice, including against antisemitism in politics. She voted to remain at the Brexit referendum, but accepted the country’s democratic decision and has worked hard to make Brexit a success and Global Britain a reality ever since.
However strong her views, she expresses them in an open, relaxed and engaging way. She had a high-powered crowd of British exporters, Israeli investors, IDF generals, members of the Knesset and journalists eating out of her hand as she spoke in detail but without notes at a trade promotion event on the deck of HMS Richmond in Haifa. She used the trip to cement an already warm and productive friendship with Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, which will be important for both countries in her new role.
Earlier that day, she had been visibly moved as she toured Yad Vashem and laid a wreath to commemorate history’s greatest crime and then kicked off negotiations on a new bespoke trade deal in talks with Economy Minister Orna Barbivai.
It had been a long day and hard work, but even after a late finish at the trade event and faced with the drive back to Tel Aviv, she wanted to be briefed on the following day’s meetings over a burger and chips at a restaurant in Haifa.
Despite the importance of her work, she is good fun and great company: the previous evening, she had joined young embassy staff on the beach at Mike’s Place to watch England beat Germany in the European Championships and she is known in Westminster for her love of karaoke.
It was interesting to see her work with officials. She asks detailed questions and expects clear answers but unlike other some other senior politicians, always treats them with courtesy and respect. I don’t think I’m betraying any confidences when I say that officials who have worked with her on such visits cannot speak highly enough of her.
Charming and fun, optimistic and popular with colleagues, officials and opponents yet tough and determined enough to climb to the Cabinet, Liz Truss is clear about her beliefs and knows what she wants to achieve, and it is all these qualities that have led to her success in the government jobs she’s held so far. She’s also built a first-class team of political advisers in Jamie Hope, Sophie Jarvis and Adam Jones and has a wide network of influential supporters and allies in Parliament, the Conservative Party and beyond, including in the Jewish community. So are we looking at a future Prime Minister? Who knows, but with everything she has achieved so far, I would not bet against her rising further still.
Ian Austin is an independent life peer. He was Labour MP for Dudley from 2005 to 2019, and was appointed Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Israel by Theresa May in 2019
