Chancellor Jeremy Hunt tells Cambridge Union Boris Johnson wasn’t suited to lead country through pandemic

The Cambridge Union welcomed the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, on Thursday (November 30) to address a packed chamber and answer questions from members – including his thoughts on Boris Johnson.

Mr Hunt shared some opening remarks looking to give members of the Union an insight into the real world of politics, stating that politics involved a large amount of chance, but also that it is the best job in the world for actually making a difference in society and for the lives of everyone.

Following his opening statement, the Chancellor answered questions from members on topics including his record as health secretary, environmental policy and growing the economy.

Mr Hunt was optimistic about the future of the British economy and Britain’s role on the global stage. When asked how a Hunt premiership would have differed from Boris Johnson’s in 2019, Mr Hunt said that while Boris was instrumental in delivering Brexit, the former Prime Minister’s skills were less suited to responding to a pandemic.

Charles Palmer, president of the Cambridge Union, said: “It was a privilege to welcome the serving Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, as an honorary member of our society.

“To have such a senior government figure come to debate the business of the day was a unique opportunity for our members and truly insightful.”

[Read more: 2023 Budget at a glance: What Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced]

For more information on the Cambridge Union, the world’s oldest debating society, visit cus.org.