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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez credited the UK’s political system for allowing for Liz Truss’s ouster as prime minister after just six tumultuous weeks
Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised the United Kingdom’s political system for making Prime Minister Liz Truss’ ouster possible while simultaneously taking a veiled shot at her fellow Democrats’ party politics.
In a Saturday night post on Instagram, the New York Democrat complained that her home country’s political system gave people ‘limited political options’ compared to the UK.
It’s not clear what political freedoms in the UK she was eyeing when contrasting the two systems. Truss’ brief, tumultuous tenure came and went without a single everyday Briton casting a vote.
The conservative British leader announced outside of No. 10 Downing Street on Thursday that she would be stepping down after just 44 days on the job.
Her six weeks were marked by economic turmoil and inter-party rebellion sparked by a controversial tax cut plan that sent the British pound’s value into a downward spiral.
But Ocasio-Cortez still championed it as a positive alternative to the American system, for the latter’s rules allowing Donald Trump to serve a full term as president.
In a Q&A on her Instagram Story, Ocasio-Cortez was asked by a British supporter how England’s political turmoil is being viewed on the outside – adding that it was a source of embarrassment for them.
‘Can’t speak for the world, but honestly I respect the UK for having a political system that is responsive and independent enough to swiftly make corrections in situations such as these,’ the lawmaker replied.
‘I respect that your parliamentary system seems to afford a greater level of independence and accountability than the US, where our two-party duopoly forces people to have much more limited political options.’
The conservative leader announced she would be stepping down after her controversial tax cut plan thrust British markets into turmoil
In an apparent jab at Congressional leadership, she added: ‘Our system makes it extremely difficult to hold one’s own party leadership accountable without being accused of (and in some cases actually risking) “helping the other side,” which only further protects (or erodes) the status quo.’
‘Think about it: We had Trump for four years! No take backs! Imagine being stuck like that,’ Ocasio-Cortez said.
‘Or being a rich country with no guaranteed healthcare. Now THAT’s embarrassing.’
But far from giving the public the opportunity to choose a new leader, the UK’s Conservative Party appears to be bucking calls from left-wing Labor to hold a new general election – which would see the Tories risk losing their governing power.
Currently, the next election is due January 2025.
As it stands, Conservative members of Parliament are due to vote for a new leader amongst themselves next week. Among the frontrunners is former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Standing outside of the prime minister’s residence at No. 10 Downing on Thursday, Truss acknowledged the tumultuous financial situation the world found itself in during her short leadership stint.
Ocasio-Cortez held the UK’s parliamentary system up against the US’s political system when asked during a Q&A on Instagram
‘I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills. Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent. And our country had been held back for too long by low economic growth,’ Truss said.
‘We set out a vision for a low-tax, high-growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.’
She added, ‘I recognize, though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party.’
‘I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative party.’
US President Joe Biden, who previously called Truss’ tax plan a ‘mistake,’ credited the embattled politician for her ‘partnership’ in helping lead the West’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in a statement reacting to her resignation.
He reaffirmed his gratitude for her collaboration on Ukraine when asked by reporters if Truss did ‘the right thing’ late on Thursday morning.
‘Well that’s for her to decide, but look she was a good partner on Russia and Ukraine,’ Biden told reporters on his way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ‘The British are going to solve their problems, but she was a good partner.’
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