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.
Denne historien er fra October 11, 2022-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra October 11, 2022-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Deaths outnumber births but population increases.
The UK population has seen its largest annual increase in size since comparable data began in the early 1970s, new figures suggest.
Record number of people face hunger, warns charity
A record 9.3 million people – including one in five children – are facing hunger and hardship in the UK, according to an antipoverty charity.
Labour poll lead over Tories falls to just a single point
Labour’s polling lead has fallen to just one point after a rocky start to Sir Keir Starmer’s time in government.
And then there were three: the race to succeed Sunak
As Tom Tugendhat is knocked out and the Conservative leadership election goes into its final stages, the prospects of the frontrunners have been transformed.
Tugendhat out as Cleverly tops Tory leadership contest
James Cleverly has surged to the top of the Tory leadership race, winning the backing of the most Conservative MPs after a barnstorming conference performance.
Corbyn ally MPs oppose Labour's school fees tax raid
Two of Jeremy Corbyn’s Commons allies have united with the Tories to oppose Labour’s tax raid on private schools, despite having been elected on left-wing tickets.
Starmer's new chief echoes Johnson's 'homicidal robot'
If Sue Gray divided opinion inside and outside Keir Starmer’s cabinet – and she certainly did – then his chosen replacement may prove to be even more controversial.
PM says film tax relief will boost a 'British Hollywood'
Sir Keir Starmer has spoken of his passion for the creative arts as he prepares to unveil a major new investment strategy for Britain’s film industry to put it at the heart of his plans to boost economic growth.
Mordaunt: I was stalked
Former minister talks of pain as she backs our campaign to provide a safe space for women fleeing domestic violence
UK facing 'plot after plot' from rogue states and terror groups, warns MI5 chief
Sir Keir Starmer has warned of the “sober findings” in a speech by the head of MI5 who outlined how British intelligence is facing a “hell of a job” over rising threats from Iran and Russia, as well as the resurgence of Isis and al-Qaeda.