Liz Truss’s comeback defies all belief – until you understand the rotten forces making it possible | Zoe Williams

A weak PM, a dying government, a radicalised rightwing press: these are the foundations of Truss's unlikely relaunch

It's quite unusual, the sight of a former prime minister for whom everything went wrong, explaining in public why she was right all along. In her defence, Liz Truss could have no precedent, as no one has ever flamed out as badly as she did.

I knew I was right" isn't exactly what she said at the Institute for Government event this week. She went much further, pacing with a witchfinder's authority, giving shape to the lefty sleeper agents who have been poisoning the economic well since the beginning of the Thatcherite project. It's compelling to wonder what her motivation is. If, as she plainly believes, the reds have seeped into every institution - including her own party - and will subvert every plan for growth, what's the point of addressing us all? Surely something more decisive is called for, like a ducking stool?

Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist