Terry Jermy hits back at Liz Truss after cease and desist letter to Keir Starmer

Terry Jermy has hit back at Liz Truss’ claim that she lost her seat at the general election due to Keir Starmer saying she “crashed the economy”.

Earlier today, it was revealed the former South West Norfolk MP has written a cease and desist letter to Mr Starmer, claiming his statements about her impact on the economy during her stint in Downing Street are “false and misleading.”

The six-page letter also blames the comments for her election loss in July, when she was toppled from her seat by Mr Jermy.

However, Mr Jermy himself believes that Ms Truss taking residents “for granted” is more likely to have affected the vote.

“Time and again during the election campaign people were telling me they were disappointed with Liz Truss’ performance as our MP,” the South West Norfolk MP said.

“They didn’t feel she was active enough in the constituency or responding to people’s concerns adequately. That view was echoed by all, including long-time Conservative supporters.

“I am sure her performance as a member of the Cabinet for many years and indeed her brief stint as Prime Minister will have factored into some people’s decision making but had she not taken her local constituency for granted she would likely have been re-elected.

“Keir Starmer is right to highlight her appalling record nationally, which residents here in South West Norfolk and indeed many around the country continue to suffer from."

The Prime Minister and Labour have said they will not be abiding by Ms Truss’ wishes, vowing not to “cease and desist from the truth”.

Ms Truss, who became prime minister in September 2022, announced her resignation less than seven weeks later following a mini-budget in which she announced wide-ranging tax cuts.

The letter – sent by lawyers at Asserson – refers to comments made by Sir Keir in June 2024 in which he talked about Ms Truss “crashing” or having “crashed” the economy.

Her lawyers argue that the market movement during her premiership between September and October 2022 should not be classified as “crashing the economy”.

This is because there was no actual fall in economic output or rise in unemployment following the budget - the normal signifier of a financial ‘crash’.