Former prime minister Theresa May has taken a swipe at the Labour party for its lack of female leaders as she welcomes Liz Truss to the role.
During Ms Truss’s first Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Ms May congratulated her on becoming the third female prime minister of Britain.
Ms May was the UK’s second female prime minister, elected by the party after David Cameron resigned in July 2016 following Brexit.
Margaret Thatcher was elected as the country’s first female prime minister in 1979.
She asked: “Can I ask my Right Honourable Friend, why does she think it is that all three female prime ministers have been Conservative?”
Ms Truss replied by saying she looked forward to calling on her advice during her time in office.
“It is quite extraordinary isn’t it, that there doesn’t seem to be, the ability in the Labour to find a female leader, or indeed, a leader who doesn’t come from North London.
“I don’t know what it is, I don’t know what the issue is.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer could be seen chuckling to this response, alongside deputy leader Angela Rayner who cracked a smile.
Mr Starmer was born in London and lives in Kentish Town. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn lives in Islington. The party’s leader prior to Mr Corbyn, Ed Miliband, grew up in London’s Primrose Hill.
Ms Truss was grilled by Mr Starmer during PMQs on the government’s plan to offer support to households and businesses to cope with soaring energy bills this winter.
The new prime minister said an announcement will be made in the House of Commons on Thursday.
