The Conversation (0)
Liam O'Dell
Oct 25, 2022
Related video: Liz Truss bids farewell to Downing Street in final speech as prime minister
IndependentTV
The tenure of Britain’s shortest serving prime minister officially ended on Tuesday morning, when Liz Truss gave her farewell speech outside No 10 before meeting King Charles III – soundtracked by the Kaiser Chiefs’ track 'I Predict A Riot.'
We should probably mention that that wasn’t the choice of Ms Truss, but rather an action seemingly taken by anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray near Downing Street, as the outgoing PM spoke of how it was a “huge honour” to be in the top job.
Like Boris Johnson, she quoted a Roman (Seneca this time, as opposed to her predecessor’s reference to dictator Cincinnatus), and on her successor Rishi Sunak, she said she wished him “every success for the good of our country”.
“Our country continues to battle through a storm, but I believe in Britain. I believe in the British people, and I know that brighter days lie ahead,” she concluded, appearing to forget that we’re heading towards the colder months of the year.
Several reporters also claimed the 2004 song from the rock band could be heard in the background of Mr Sunak’s first speech as PM as well, while Good Morning Britain noted clown music was playing as government ministers entered No 10 for Ms Truss’ last cabinet meeting.
\u201cWhat a morning at the Foreign Office. Another one bites the dust \u2026.\u201d— Steve Bray Activist Against Brexit +Corrupt Tories (@Steve Bray Activist Against Brexit +Corrupt Tories) 1666694141
People have since taken to Twitter to brand Mr Bray a “hero” for his rather riotous song choice:
Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
\u201c\u2018I Predict a Riot\u2019 playing in the background. Lovely stuff.\u201d— Jonathan Pie (@Jonathan Pie) 1666689667
\u201cLiz Truss doing her big goodbye speech while I Predict A Riot plays in the background, lovely stuff.\u201d— Sooz "Halloween" Kempner (@Sooz "Halloween" Kempner) 1666689660
\u201cOnly in England would someone be blasting I predict a riot in the background while liz formally resigns \ud83d\ude02\u201d— beccie \ud83e\udd81\ud83e\udde1\ud83c\udfce (@beccie \ud83e\udd81\ud83e\udde1\ud83c\udfce) 1666689627
\u201cWhoever is playing \u201cI predict a riot\u201d at the press conference is really the hero this country needs. #LizTruss #10DowningStreet\u201d— Amie Jessica (@Amie Jessica) 1666689642
\u201cI predict a riot playing gently in the background \n\n\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Divina De Campo stream DECODED (@Divina De Campo stream DECODED) 1666693874
\u201cwhoever is playing i predict a riot behind liz truss\u2019 speech i love u\u201d— carey (@carey) 1666689624
Even Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson acknowleged the protest by Mr Bray, sharing a news article about the stunt and simply writing: "Blimey."
\u201cBlimey\u2026 https://t.co/hf8LI4AiQ5\u201d— Ricky Wilson (@Ricky Wilson) 1666694784
And it isn’t the first time that Ms Truss has faced the music (literally) while trying to deliver a speech outside Downing Street, as just a month ago when she became prime minister – yes, really – her first speech was soundtracked by “Mad World” from the band Tears for Fears.
Well, it certainly makes the speeches a lot less daunting…
It is a simple and fundamental principle that the government derives its democratic legitimacy from the people. The future of the country must not be decided by plotting and U-turns at Westminster; it must be decided by the people in a general election. And for this reason The Independent is calling for an election to be held. Have your say and sign our election petition by clicking here.
Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
Top 100
x