Liz Truss's £4,000 Jenga lectern still hasn't found a new home one year on

04 September 2023 , 23:01

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The lectern was specially made for Liz Truss at a cost of £4,175 to taxpayers (Image: PA)

Liz Truss’s £4,000 “Jenga” lectern still has not found a new home a year after she became Tory leader.

Today marks the one year anniversary since she beat Rishi Sunak in the contest to become the country’s PM.

The lectern was specially made for her at a cost of £4,175 to taxpayers, but she only lasted 49 days as Prime Minister after she tanked the economy. The Government had hoped the higgledy-piggledy pile of bricks would be used by another Whitehall department or maybe an embassy abroad.

But months later it is still languishing in Downing Street as it appears there have been no takers for the wooden monstrosity that brings back bad memories of Ms Truss’s short-lived time in power. In response to a freedom of information request, the Cabinet Office said: “The practice has been that lecterns will be used and repurposed, including in other Government buildings. The lectern used by the former Prime Minister is currently on site.”

The lectern was used by Miss Truss when she addressed the nation following the death of the Queen. She also stood behind it at an awkward press conference after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor in a desperate bid to save her premiership and as she announced her resignation in Downing Street.

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Earlier this year, Ms Truss claimed it was “unfair” for struggling families to blame her for soaring mortgage rates. She was forced out of Downing Street after she announced a tax-cutting bonanza, with giveaways for the super-rich.

The carnage sent the pound tumbling and mortgage rates soaring - as pension funds came close to collapse. She had to U-turn on nearly all her plans and sacked Mr Kwarteng, but was still forced out by Tory MPs. She is the shortest-serving PM in British history.

Asked earlier this year if she regretted running for the top job, Ms Truss said: “No, I don’t regret it.” But on the possibility of making a comeback, she said “no” when questioned on whether she would like to return to No10.

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John Stevens