All Talk with: Liz Truss - The Nerd Party at Edinburgh Fringe 2024

Politicians and the political pundit class continue to find a home in the Edinburgh Fringe, but this one felt like a unique political spectacle: Liz Truss, the ex-Prime Minister whose brief tenure might as well have been scripted by a dark comedy writer, takes the stage. For political enthusiasts, even those who couldn’t be further away from her politically, it's a rare chance to see and hear from a figure whose time in office felt like a bizarre mix of missteps and melodrama and would this be the moment she finally apologised. 

But it's not just about politics—Truss's appearance drew a crowd who might not admit it but were eager for the surreal entertainment of a once-controversial leader now navigating the unpredictable world of the Fringe and a Scottish audience who are typically resistant to any Tory, let alone a former Prime Minister who crashed the economy and even took the time today to praise Donald Trump and Jacob Rees- Mogg. 

Her bizarre arrival, set to the theme tunes of The West Wing and House of Cards, only heightened the surreal atmosphere and set the stage for the unconventional spectacle that was about to unfold. Despite the polite applause, heckling and groans, there were still a few die-hard supporters in the room, ready to clap and cheer her on, whether it was getting the army in to help tackle the recent riots or yet another rant blaming the Bank of England for her downfall. It was always going to be a mix of political curiosity and theatrical absurdity that other guests on the line-up for the week, from Wes Streeting to Christine Jardine, wouldn’t bring. 

The ex-Prime Minister faced a wave of boos and heckles as she defended her ill-fated mini-Budget yet again. One audience member even shouted for her to apologise for the economic chaos she’s blamed for, but Truss seemed more interested in arguing back, and she claimed the crowd was more interested in political squabbles than in fixing the country’s issues, which only earned her more derision.

Truss’s appearance at the festival, where she was interviewed by presenter Matthew Stadlen filling in for Iain Dale, was anything but a smooth performance. Instead of taking any responsibility for her brief and tumultuous time in office, she blamed external forces for the fallout time and time again. Truss insisted she was "smeared" and denied accountability for the impact of her policies, which was met with noticeable frustration from the audience despite the odd clap of support, including a “hear, hear".

After the show, Liz Truss added another layer to the day's peculiar vibe by mingling with the crowd in the EICC bar area, eagerly posing for selfies despite the earlier heckling. This post-event scene only underscored the bizarre nature of her appearance and reinforced the perception of her having a "brass neck" in the face of criticism. Nevertheless, it’s a reminder of a positive aspect of British democracy: despite the controversies and criticisms, the ability to meet and hold our leaders accountable in a public, safe space remains intact. This open engagement, even with its awkward moments, is something we can at least all appreciate and agree upon.

Lee Hutchison