‘Pork markets’ meme resurfaces as Liz Truss becomes foreign secretary in reshuffle

In an incredible case of a political meme coming full circle, ‘pork markets’ – a phrase uttered by Liz Truss MP during the 2014 Conservative Party Conference – has resurfaced online after the South West Norfolk politician was confirmed as foreign secretary on Wednesday.

Truss, who remains the minister for women and equalities, took over the role as part of a government reshuffle by Boris Johnson, which left the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office role vacant after Dominic Raab was made justice secretary and deputy prime minister.

Back when she was secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Truss told Conservative Party members: “In December, I’ll be in Beijing, opening up new pork markets.”

The sentence was accompanied by a wide grin from Truss, who clearly expected applause, but it came a little too late.

And so, an awkward meme was born, one which the MP seems to have embraced since then, as she shared the “great news” that Mexico had opened up its market to British pork in early September.

Now, given that she’ll be travelling the world as foreign secretary, people have been quick to reference those famous two words:

No news yet on cheese imports, either…