In the race to succeed Boris Johnson as the next UK Prime Minister, Pritam has been heard criticizing the productivity and culture of the British workforce, which he says requires “more corruption”.
In the race to succeed Boris Johnson as the next UK Prime Minister, Pritam has been heard criticizing the productivity and culture of the British workforce, which he says requires “more corruption”.
The leaked recording of Liz Truss, published in the Guardian, was made between 2017 and 2019, when she was Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the UK’s number two position under the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
In the recording, the current Foreign Secretary is also heard dismissing the pro-Brexit argument. Commenting on the trend of “wanting easy answers” in Britain, she questions the campaign’s claims that the welfare of British workers has been harmed by opponents of the EU.
“Oh, it’s all Europe that’s causing all these problems, well, it’s immigrants that’s causing all these problems, but really, what should it be, you know,
Although he supported “Remain” in the 2016 EU referendum, Truce has since become a staunch supporter of Brexit. He has led talks this year with Brussels – where diplomats have grown frustrated with his hardline stance – and UK legislation to scrap the part of the divorce treaty covering Northern Ireland.
A front-runner for Downing Street is heard on the recording commenting on the poor performance of British workers compared to foreign rivals.
“British workers produce less per hour … and it’s a combination of skills and application types,” says Truss, adding that the situation in London is very different from the rest of the country.
The Conservative Party leadership contender said, “Really it’s partly a matter of mindset and attitude … it’s really a culture of working. It’s completely different if you go to China, I assure you. Can do yes,” the Conservative Party leadership contender continued.
Truss questions whether the country’s workforce can meet the challenge of improving productivity.
“This is a fundamental issue of British work culture, “Essentially if we are going to be a rich country and a happy country, it needs to change, but I don’t think people are eager to change it.”
Truss’ campaign team did not deny the authenticity of the statements, but said they “lacked context”.
“Increasing productivity is essential, leading to better employment and a better quality of life for workers,” a source told AFP.
Liz Truss’s comments came from a 2012 book she co-wrote, which criticized the British as “the world’s worst critics”.
Truss and former finance minister Rishi Sanak are currently touring the country to drum up support for the Tory Party’s nearly 200,000 members, who have until September 2 to choose their new leader in a postal ballot. The Foreign Secretary is far ahead in the polls.
The winner of the party’s majority in parliament will succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister, who resigned in early July after a string of scandals. The result is expected on September 5.
