Jeremy Hunt on Trump and the Tories’ future – Politics Weekly Special
Feb 4, 2025
auto_awesome
Jeremy Hunt, a seasoned Conservative MP and former Chancellor, shares his insights on the current challenges facing the Tory party. He discusses navigating the complexities of Donald Trump’s trade policies and their impact on the UK. Hunt reflects on the need for the party to rebuild trust with voters amidst economic turmoil and recent electoral defeats. He highlights the tension between moderate voices and populism, while emphasizing the importance of a unified political strategy to engage a diverse voter base.
Jeremy Hunt highlights the Conservative Party's urgent need for strategic reevaluation and clearer communication to regain public trust post-electoral defeat.
Hunt warns that the rise of the Reform Party poses a direct threat to Conservatives, necessitating a differentiated identity to appeal to traditional voter bases.
Deep dives
Reflections on Party Leadership and Loss
The Conservative Party is undergoing a period of critical self-reflection following a significant electoral defeat, with feelings of nostalgia for past leadership dynamics during a previous era of stability and confidence. Jeremy Hunt, a veteran of the party, acknowledges that the recent crushing loss necessitates a deeper evaluation of the party's strategy and direction, indicating that soul-searching is just beginning. He cites the mini-budget as a pivotal moment when the party lost touch with the electorate, leading him to believe their time in power was coming to an end. Hunt emphasizes the importance of taking time to formulate a coherent future policy platform as the party navigates the challenges of regaining public trust.
The Existential Threat of Populist Movements
Hunt describes the rise of the Reform Party as a direct existential threat to the Conservative Party, comparable to challenges faced by mainstream conservative parties in other countries like France and Italy. He stresses that adopting populist tactics would not be a viable solution, as the Conservative voter base differs significantly from that of the Reform Party, which attracts anti-establishment voters. Hunt also recognizes the necessity of understanding the motivations behind populist movements, illustrating this with examples of effective communication strategies employed by populist leaders like Donald Trump. He argues that the Conservative Party must develop its communication tactics to directly engage and resonate with voters.
Navigating Political Challenges and Identity Crisis
As the Conservative Party faces potential losses to the Liberal Democrats and Reform Party in upcoming elections, Hunt underscores the urgency of addressing broader questions of identity and voter alignment. He acknowledges the precarious position of the Liberal Democrats, who must now define their identity separate from the Labour Party, while noting that the Conservative Party must articulate a clear alternative to Labour to regain public confidence. Hunt's personal commitment to remaining active in politics speaks to a broader dedication to stabilizing the party's future, even as many colleagues have left. His insights reflect the complexities of political survival amid fluctuating public sentiment and the necessity for robust party cohesion in the face of shifting alliances.
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey chat to the veteran Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt about how to handle Donald Trump’s trade wars, his new life in opposition, and what’s next for the Tories. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode