Piste-loving Liz Truss embarked on a ski trip to enhance Parliamentary connections, despite her departure from the Commons almost two years ago. The former Prime Minister, along with six other ex-Tory MPs, participated in the 70th Parliamentary Ski Week in Davos, a luxurious destination. This event, aimed at strengthening ties between the UK, Switzerland, and the European Union, featured Truss clinching third place in the women’s skiing competition.
However, Truss’ presence at the event sparked criticism from those apprehensive about her staunch political stance affecting Britain negatively. Labour Party chair Anna Turley voiced concerns about Truss’s impact on families due to her brief tenure as Tory PM, attributing financial challenges to her policies. Turley urged Truss to prioritize accountability over leisure activities and to focus on rectifying the economic repercussions of her decisions.
Recently, Truss, who faced a short-lived term as Prime Minister characterized by economic turmoil, expressed aspirations to emulate the political approach of Donald Trump. While initially a Remain supporter in the EU referendum, Truss later shifted to championing Brexit, emphasizing the potential of the UK. She took on the responsibility of post-Brexit negotiations with the EU during her tenure as Foreign Secretary.
Participants of the Parliamentary Ski Week indulged in extravagant dining experiences at upscale restaurants in Davos, offering pricey dishes and beverages. The event, established in 1956 to promote diplomatic relations post-World War II, serves as a platform for networking, political discussions, and fostering close ties between the UK and Switzerland.
Apart from skiing, the event includes training sessions and social gatherings for political and sporting exchanges, emphasizing the strong bond between the British and Swiss Parliaments. Notable attendees included former Tory MPs like Sara Britcliffe, Tim Loughton, Lady Victoria Borwick, Sally-Ann Hart, Henry Smith, and Ben Everitt, among others.
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade Andrew Griffith, the sole serving MP present, joined the event alongside Tory peers and the British Ambassador to Switzerland. The event, funded in part by the Davos tourist board, aims to uphold bilateral relations and strengthen the enduring ties between the British and Swiss parliaments.
During a previous edition of the event in January 2024, Truss and several other Tory MPs enjoyed hospitality valued at nearly £13,000. Truss disclosed receiving over £2,000 worth of hospitality, including ski passes and other services. When approached for comments, Truss’s spokesperson declined to respond to inquiries from the media.