Interview
Why Jeremy Hunt thinks he'll be Britain's next prime minister
- Jeremy Hunt frames his leadership candidacy around the premise that the Conservative Party faces political extinction if Brexit is not delivered, citing recent European Parliament and local election results as a warning.
- He identifies the current "bad choices" as a parliamentary blockade against a no-deal Brexit combined with an EU unwillingness to negotiate a superior alternative deal.
- Hunt predicts that proceeding without a resolved Brexit will lead to a general election, which he characterizes as a "catastrophe" likely to result in a Labour government under Jeremy Corbyn.
- He clarifies that while he does not view a no-deal Brexit itself as political suicide, he views the resulting general election as such.
- Hunt maintains that a no-deal Brexit must remain on the table as a negotiation lever, though he states he would only pursue it if Parliament blocked every other path.
- He ranks the democratic risk of failing to deliver Brexit as higher than the economic risk of a no-deal scenario, acknowledging he would execute a no-deal exit "with a heavy heart" due to business and union concerns.
- Hunt asserts his unique qualifications as the first entrepreneur Prime Minister, the first to run the NHS (the world's fifth-largest organization), and the first in 25 years to win a marginal seat.
- He rejects the proposal for a second referendum, arguing that a reversed outcome would enrage the 48% who voted Leave and that repeated referendums would be seen as undemocratic.
- Regarding Theresa May's past negotiations, Hunt attributes the EU's refusal to compromise to a lack of confidence in the UK government's ability to secure a parliamentary majority for any deal.
- To solve this, Hunt proposes assembling a unified negotiating team including the DUP, the ERG, and Scottish and Welsh Conservatives to ensure the EU can trust UK parliamentary delivery.
- Hunt warns that the Labour Party's support for the customs union and a second referendum makes it an increasingly attractive option for the EU, raising the risk of a damaging general election.
- He argues that Brexit success depends on "turbocharging" the British economy, specifically advocating for a corporation tax cut to 12.5% to match Irish levels.
- On international relations with the US, Hunt expresses respect for President Trump's economic growth achievements while noting disagreements on climate change and the Iran nuclear deal.
- Regarding a future UK-US trade deal, Hunt confirms President Trump's interest but explicitly rules out selling the ownership of the NHS or allowing it to be a bargaining chip.
- Hunt clarifies that the US President understood NHS procurement was not on the table, distinguishing between freely traded medical devices and the ownership of the NHS itself.
- On Huawei and 5G, Hunt prioritizes avoiding technological dependency on any third country over specific espionage fears, citing China's "Made in China 2025" goal of 80% global telecom market share.
- He characterizes China not as an enemy but as a powerful, successful country that must choose between its own values and shared democratic principles regarding human rights.
- Hunt states the UK will make the final Huawei decision based on British national interest, having listened carefully to US intelligence and security concerns without automatically complying.
- He anticipates that a second referendum would fail to settle the Brexit issue, potentially triggering demands for a third or fourth referendum from remainers or leavers.
- Hunt argues that national unity is achieved by delivering a Brexit that accommodates the legitimate concerns of the 48% who voted Remain, rather than retreating from the vote.