According to widespread reports, including www.politico.eu, Truss is set to make an appearance at next month’s Tory party conference.

She is widely expected to play a role in the contest for control of the Conservative Party should Rishi Sunak lose the next election. A government official said she has been seeking to establish links with prospective candidates and tapping up potential allies. A person close to Truss tells Esther: “She’s already been reselected and very much hopes to be reelected next year and to play her part in debates inside the Conservative Party and in the Westminster sphere.”

Where does this leave Simon Jupp?

Remember Simon Jupp lost no time a year ago in joining “Team Truss”, despite having followed his old mentor Dominic Raab in backing Sunak, saying:

“I have been appointed a Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It’s an unpaid, non-ministerial role. With a new PM, there’s a lot to cover – including levelling up, national planning policy, overseeing local government, and introducing more devolution with deals being discussed in Devon and Cornwall. As your MP, East Devon will of course come first.”

As Owl commented at the time: emphasising growth through investment zone tax breaks rather than long-term investment in the infrastructure we are all crying out for; and deregulation across the board to encourage “build,build, build” housing development at all costs were Truss’ priorities at the time.

Well it all ended in tears after she and Kwarteng crashed the economy, leaving us with a shattered economy and a colossal bill.

Simon Jupp, ever the opportunist, jumped ship to Sunak. 

“I accepted a position in government because I wanted it to work. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

“Rishi Sunak has already set out his stall to the nation. He’s got the experience needed to lead the nation and the knowledge to restore economic credibility.

“I’m backing Rishi Sunak for PM.”

And was again duly rewarded within a month as a PPS to the Secretary for State for Transport, though this is a significantly more “junior” ministry, see order of precedence.

Time for more fizz with Lizz?

Perhaps Simon will share his thoughts “going forwards” with us on social media? – Owl

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