Liz Truss’s Oxford tutor on the contradictions in her ideas
In the Marc Stears(now at UCL) wrote about the time he was Liz Truss’s tutor during her time as an undergraduate at Oxford in the Murdoch Sunday Times (31st July)
At the time it seemed mildly diverting and rather really useless knowledge. After all, who cares? Since then events may have turned it into really useful knowledge, after the debacle of Truss’s regional pay non-policy.
The reporting of the matter reflects the demise of the labour correspondent. Regional Pay is not new. Call centre workers are not paid as much in the north-west as they are in London (except where unionised). In fact call centres are not a feature of the London labour market. Employers wont pay the higher rate needed to attract workers.
The Civil Service as Truss didn’t appear to know operates differently. Many employees are mobile grades. That is they may work or be based somewhere but may be required and may actually work all over the place. Hence there is a national pay rate.
According to Marc Stears Truss’s time at Oxford was marked by an ability to come up with unusual angles on issues and stick to them even when informed that facts showed she was wrong. Secondly an ability to fiercely argue a position only to drop it and equally fiercely promote something different.
There are many MPs, both Tory and Labour that fit that description, but they are not likely to be Prime Minister
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