The controversial former well being secretary is now accountable for the economic system
In an especially fast-moving day in Westminster, the prime minister Liz Truss has sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as her chancellor and changed him with Jeremy Hunt.
Hunt has been a longstanding senior determine throughout the Conservative Get together. He stood briefly within the 2022 Tory management election, being eradicated within the first spherical. Previous to that, he got here second to Boris Johnson within the 2019 management contest.
Hunt has held senior ministerial workplace on quite a few events within the final twelve years. Most not too long ago, he was overseas secretary from 2018-19 underneath Theresa Could’s authorities. Earlier than, he served as well being secretary for six years underneath David Cameron and Theresa Could.
His time as well being secretary was extremely controversial. Between 2015 and 2016, the British Medical Affiliation (BMA) entered a protracted dispute with NHS Employers over modifications to junior medical doctors’ contracts. The dispute escalated to the primary normal strike by the BMA for 40 years. Hunt was additionally topic to in depth criticism throughout his time as well being secretary for more and more ranges of privatisation throughout the NHS.
His controversial interval has well being secretary led to the primary parliamentary petition to surpass the 100,000 signature threshold to set off a debate in parliament. The petition led to a parliamentary debate on whether or not parliament had confidence in Hunt as well being secretary.
Hunt’s appointment as chancellor comes as each the UK economic system and the Tory ballot scores are in freefall following Kwarteng’s ‘mini-budget’ in September.
Chris Jarvis is head of technique and growth at Left Foot Ahead
Picture credit score: International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace – Artistic Commons
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