The title of a new biography on Prime Minister Liz Truss referred to by Keir Starmer in the House of Commons today has been changed to refer to her difficult first few weeks in office, we can reveal.
‘Out of the Blue: The inside story of Liz Truss and her astonishing rise to power’ by journalists Harry Cole and James Heale has now changed its subtitle, replacing the word ‘astonishing’ with the word ‘explosive’. The Amazon page has been changed, but not the preview front cover. A final chapter heading called ‘Into the Red’ has also been added.
The PM has had a turbulent first few weeks in office, when the book was announced, with a series of U-turns on economic policy following a disastrous mini-budget, and the sacking of her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. Many are predicting she may have to resign in the coming weeks.
Labour leader Starmer referred to the book at the start of this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, saying: “A book is being written about the Prime Minister’s time in office, apparently it’s going to be out by Christmas - is that the release date, or the title?”
The quip was seemingly inspired by a joke in the latest Private Eye magazine. The Londoner’s Diary wondered whether there would have to be changes to the book two weeks ago during Tory conference. The text went to press that week.
