Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
View from Westminster email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
The leader of the so-called “Turnip Taliban” Tory rebels bidding to oust Liz Truss in her Norfolk constituency has launched a blistering attack on the former prime minister for “cavorting with right-wing extremists in the US”.
James Bagge, who plans to stand against Ms Truss as an independent candidate in her South West Norfolk constituency at the general election, denounced her for “declaring kinship with Donald Trump and Nigel Farage” at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland last week.
Former prime minister Liz Truss addresses an audience at CPAC in the US on 22 February 2024
" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/22/20/SEI192764990.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/22/20/SEI192764990.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/22/20/SEI192764990.jpg" data-gallery-length="5" class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content" pinger-seen="true">
Former prime minister Liz Truss addresses an audience at CPAC in the US on 22 February 2024
(AP)
And the lawyer and ex-army officer criticised her for using the rally to blame the British “deep state” – her Trump-style euphemism for Whitehall, quangos and other state institutions – for the economic crisis that ended her disastrous short-lived term in Downing St in 2022.
Ms Truss has “little judgement” and has only herself to blame for her downfall, said Mr Bagge.
RECOMMENDED
Kate Middleton health update as Thomas Kingston found dead – follow latest
Undo
Jon Stewart breaks down in tears as he shares sad news with Daily Show viewers
Undo
Comedy 1st
Leaked pictures of Prince William's alleged loverComedy 1st| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
WW IQ Test
Find out if you're a genius in minutes - explore our rapid IQ assessmentWW IQ Test| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
James Bagge, lawyer and ex-army officer, has criticised Truss for using the CPAC rally to blame the British ‘deep state’
(Garlinda Birkbeck)
Far from sabotaging her administration, it is the very institutions she railed against that saved the nation from her reckless policies, he added.
“Ms Truss talks of democratically elected governments unable to enact policies because they have been blocked by the ‘economic establishment’ and of a civil service populated by activists,” he told The Independent.
“Her problem, which she fails to acknowledge, is that she enacted a policy of her own choice, despite warnings, and then immediately tried to pin the blame on her hapless chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng.
“But it was the financial markets, not the establishment, which determined the failure of her completely ruinous mini-Budget – and it was the actions of those she now dismisses that saved the day, namely the Bank of England and the Treasury.”
He added: “She is a woman with little judgement in evidence, and apparently incapable of accepting personal responsibility.”
Promoted stories
AMK Legal
Unexpected Compensation for St James's Place (SJP) ClientsAMK Legal Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Mr Bagge, 71, is among prominent local Conservatives who resigned from the party in protest at Ms Truss’s selection as its candidate for South West Norfolk in 2009 after complaints that she had been “foisted” on them by Tory HQ.
Bagge has accused Truss of displaying double standards at the US rally, which was attended by thousands of Trump supporters as well as former Ukip leader Nigel Farage
(AP)
They argued she had no links to the area and accused party chiefs of failing to inform them that she had had an affair with a married Tory MP. The episode led to Ms Truss’s critics in the East Anglian agricultural constituency being labelled the “Turnip Taliban”.
Mr Bagge accused Ms Truss of displaying double standards at the US rally, which was attended by thousands of Trump supporters as well as former Ukip leader Nigel Farage.
She “declares her support for Trump” – who is expected to reduce aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia if he becomes president next year – “while demanding assistance for Ukraine”, he said. “She cavorts with right-wing extremists, sharing a platform and declaring kinship with Farage, Trump and others.”
Bagge resigned from the party in protest at Truss’s selection as its candidate for South West Norfolk in 2009
(Alamy)
At the CPAC gathering, Ms Truss said conservatives in both the US and the UK need a “bigger bazooka” with which to fight the left.
“Unless conservatives become more active in speaking out, Western civilisation is doomed,” she argued.
Mr Bagge is holding a series of public meetings in Norfolk in an effort to win backing for his challenge against Ms Truss. If he defeated her, it would be one of the biggest election upsets of all time.
More about Liz Truss Donald Trump CPAC extremists No 10 Norfolk tory
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
92Comments
1/ 5‘Turnip Taliban’ accuse Truss of ‘cavorting with pro-Trump extremists’
‘Turnip Taliban’ accuse Truss of ‘cavorting with pro-Trump extremists’
Former prime minister Liz Truss addresses an audience at CPAC in the US on 22 February 2024
AP
‘Turnip Taliban’ accuse Truss of ‘cavorting with pro-Trump extremists’
James Bagge, lawyer and ex-army officer, has criticised Truss for using the CPAC rally to blame the British ‘deep state’
Garlinda Birkbeck
‘Turnip Taliban’ accuse Truss of ‘cavorting with pro-Trump extremists’
Bagge has accused Truss of displaying double standards at the US rally, which was attended by thousands of Trump supporters as well as former Ukip leader Nigel Farage
AP
‘Turnip Taliban’ accuse Truss of ‘cavorting with pro-Trump extremists’
Bagge resigned from the party in protest at Truss’s selection as its candidate for South West Norfolk in 2009
Alamy Stock Photo
‘Turnip Taliban’ accuse Truss of ‘cavorting with pro-Trump extremists’
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss
AP
British Investing
How To Invest In Whisky. Own A Barrel Of WhiskyBritish Investing| Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
Senior Car Insurance
Many Seniors Unaware of Free Car Insurance Coverage Based on Their Age! (Check Now)Senior Car Insurance| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
NICEIC
DIY-ers admit this is the one project not to attemptIn a world where DIY projects have become a trend, there's one area where taking matters into your own hands can have significant consequencesNICEIC| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Nutritional Science Ltd
Joint Doctor Begs Brits To “Mend” Joints With This Tip (Every Morning)Nutritional Science Ltd| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in