LIZ Truss showed she was powerful and in control as she was crowned Britain’s next Prime Minister today, a body language expert has said.
The new Tory leader, who won 57 per cent of the vote against rival Rishi Sunak, then channelled her “idol” Margaret Thatcher as she delivered her victory speech, according to author Judi James.
Liz Truss delivering her victory speech after being crowned the new Tory leader
Body language expert Judi James said Ms Truss channelled Margaret Thatcher during her speech
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss before the winner was announced
Judi, who watched as the PM-in-waiting vowed to unveil a “bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy”, said: “Liz sat upright and poised to leap onto the stage.
“She looked positively regal in preparation for her meeting with the Queen.
“Her feet were splayed in the classic power pose to suggest stability and a desire to stand her ground and be as stubborn as her role-model Thatcher.
“She then lifted her chin defiantly during her speech, though it ended buried in her neck as she beamed in delight at her party members.”
Describing Ms Truss‘ appearance during her address, Judi continued: “Her hands were held for the most part, out to either side of the lectern, with the fingers splayed, a bit like a puppet.
“This suggested she is still keen to keep a lid on things, including some of her opponents in the audience.
“The splayed, straight fingers suggest panic mode.
“But her words suggested control and strength, as though she has it in her power to fix everything.
“At the end, she folded her notes politely and walked quietly off stage to presumably get on with the job.”
During her speech, Ms Truss promised to “deliver on the energy crisis” and help hard-up Brits tackle their rising bills.
She also paid tribute to her “great friend” Boris Johnson, who will hand over the keys to Number 10 tomorrow.
And she looked confident doing so, according to Judi, unlike Mr Sunak who was “slumped to the side of his seat”.
“You could tell who had won before the votes were even read out. He had no loser’s smile for the occasion,” Judi added.
Ms Truss, who received 81,326 votes to Mr Sunak’s 60,399, will officially be named PM on September 6.
BoJo will give a farewell speech at Downing Street before the pair travel to see the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where he will offer his resignation.
Ms Truss will then have a private audience with Her Majesty, who will formally appoint her as the new PM.
After that, the Tory leader will fly back to London to make her first major speech from Downing Street at around 4pm.
She is expected to unveil a bumper £100billion cost-of-living rescue package to “make Britain work” in her first week in office.
Last night, Ms Truss vowed not to “let anyone talk this great country down”, saying she would work tirelessly to make sure everyone has the “opportunity to go as far as their talent and hard work takes them”.
Finalising her plans for her first day in No10, she added: “I’ll take rapid action on energy bills to help families through the winter, but also tackle the root cause of the energy crisis.
“I have a bold plan to see Britain through difficult times and get us out the other side stronger.”
Ms Truss speaking at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, after being announced as the next PM
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss walk into the auditorium on September 5
Margaret Thatcher was PM from 1979 to 1990
