It's Time Someone Told Truss She's Not President Of The UK
The Independent|October 11, 2022
Listen, no one wants to start their column with a quote in Latin. This isn't The Spectator. I'm not some 174-year-old man sitting in an armchair having port for breakfast, about to argue in favour of something related to Brexit or possibly the Roundheads.
Marie Le Conte
It's Time Someone Told Truss She's Not President Of The UK

Well, not yet at least - you never know what life has in store for you. Still, I'm afraid I must start this piece with the words that have been rattling around my head for the past month whenever I have read or heard anything about the way Liz Truss is handling her premiership. It is - and I must apologize once more - a Latin phrase. It's primus inter pares. Primus inter pares! It will not leave my brain. It means (if you are less insufferable than I am) "first among equals".

According to the internet, which can be trusted on these things: "The political title 'prime minister' originally meant that its bearer was the foremost minister of a ruling monarch, and so merely primus inter pares among government ministers or the cabinet rather than head of government."

Or, to be more concise: this isn't France. There is a prime minister in Britain - Liz Truss, you may have heard of her - but there is not a president. This is a parliamentary democracy. Truss derives her power from her ability to command a majority in the House of Commons, as the leader of the largest party in said House. Nothing more; nothing less.

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