Liz Truss: Here’s what her life is like one year after her short stint as Prime Minister

Liz Truss is trending on X because she gave a speech on Monday 18 September in which she refused to take responsibility for the market crisis that followed her appointment as Prime Minister. Speaking in London, she defended her mini-budget and said the blame fell mainly on the Bank of England for allowing artificially low interest rates for too long.

This is far from the first time that Liz Truss has faced criticism from her peers and the public: her time as PM did only last 49 days and was likened to the lifetime of a salad. Let’s take a look at what the former PM is up to one year later.

Liz Truss’ current job

Liz Truss was appointed Prime Minister on 6 September 2022 and made history as the shortest serving PM ever when she left Downing Street again 49 days later. Since then, she has kept a relatively low profile.

She has continued to work as a backbench MP representing South West Norfolk. Following her reselection for the role in February 2023, she took to social media to express her enthusiasm:

Delighted to have been re-selected as Conservative candidate for South West Norfolk. Thanks to my local association for their ongoing support and I look forward in due course to us fighting a fifth general election together.

How much Liz Truss earns

Truss reportedly received an £18,000 severance package when she left Downing Street and, according to the UK Parliament website, MPs receive an annual basic salary of £86,584. However, MPs often make extra money through talks and visits, and Liz Truss has certainly cashed in on that opportunity.

Former PMs are also able to claim a £115,000 annual allowance, designed to fund their public duties after their time in office. There were calls for Truss to be excluded from this due to the short length of her time as PM, but it is unknown whether or not she claimed it in the end.

Read more:Rishi Sunak didn't always want to be Prime Minister, here's what he said in 2020

Liz Truss’ husband and daughter

Liz Truss has been married to Hugh O'Leary since 2000. He prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Over the years, he has even avoided commenting on Truss’ affair with fellow Tory politician Mark Field, which came to light in 2006.

Truss has publically apologised for the affair with her then-mentor. In 2009 she told the Eastern Daily Press:

I've very much learned from the past. We are coming up to our 10th wedding anniversary. Since this happened we have become a lot stronger.

The pair continue to keep things private, and have two daughters together. Frances was born in March 2006, and Liberty in November 2008. The younger daughter Liberty apparently keeps her mum right when it comes to fashion. Truss told YOU magazine in 2019:

She does indicate that perhaps I should not leave the house in that outfit.

Truss is reportedly big on family bonding and insists on locking phones away to limit her daughters’ screen time.

Read more:

⋙ Liz Truss' former aide reveals bizarre tactic they used to keep her away from interviews

⋙ Rishi Sunak: This is where the Prime Minister went to school and how much it cost

Sources used:

Mirror: How Liz Truss' husband forgave her affair and how they got marriage back on track

The Sun: MEET THE FAMILY Who are Liz Truss’s children?

The Guardian: Liz Truss blames ‘groupthink’ for economic damage under her watch