her election Liz Truss as his new prime minister Great BritainThe Conservative Party has changed four leaders in the six years since the referendum on staying in the EU. in 2016. Referendum initiator David Cameron resigned the day after voting to leave the EU, his successor Theresa May failed to negotiate a deal with the EU. which would have the support of her party, and Boris Johnson never managed to overcome his chaotic governing style and scandals. Truss is now called upon to guide the country through a harsh winter when energy prices and inflation skyrocket.

Friends of the Conservative Party have always argued that its electoral dominance is due to the party’s ability to adapt to new times and demands, that is, to choose what to “keep” while at the same time accepting the changes taking place in society. Thus, it can be said that the new leadership change, when the third female Prime Minister of Great Britain became a member of the Conservative Party, actually underlines his ability to adapt to a world in a state of permanent crisis. In reality, however, the constant change of leadership now reflects the general identity crisis of British conservatism.

In her election campaign, Truss took on the role of the “new Thatcher”, promising tax breaks and rejecting government intervention despite the coming financial crisis. As the far right of the leadership candidates, she was elected with the open support of outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But her economic platform contrasts sharply with that of Johnson, who identified with an agenda of redistribution, strengthening weak regions, and helping disadvantaged working class supporters of Brexit. That Brexit, despite promises, was not an opportunity to correct the injustices of Thatcherism, but turned into a meaningless slogan expressing a vague desire for “national sovereignty”.

Liz Truss will be forced to backtrack on her neo-Thatcher promises and take supportive measures.

It is clear that Thras’s ultra-liberal stance on the economy is disproportionate to the scale of the coming economic and energy crisis. Reality itself will force the new prime minister to quickly abandon his neo-Thatcher promises and approve measures to support the economy. Analysts believe that partial nationalization of energy companies may even be required. The danger for Truss is that any attempt to retreat from his original positions will alienate him from the small but powerful far-right wing of the Conservative Party that launched the defiance movement that toppled three previous prime ministers. Therefore, no one is sure whether Truss will eventually lead the Conservatives to the next election in two and a half years. Anyway, one thing the party is good at doing is changing its leaders.

* Associate Professor of International Relations at London Metropolitan University and Partner at Chatham House.