Ex-Finance Minister Hunt wishes Labor government all the best
Real human greatness shows itself in moments of defeat. The best example of this is the departing British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt. He gave a moving and impressive speech after the disastrous showing of the Tories, setting new standards - humanly and politically.
With the overwhelming election victory of the Labour Party, Britain has a new government. The outgoing Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt bid farewell with an equally emotional and striking speech before leaving Downing Street No. 11 with his family. Hunt's successor is Rachel Reeves, making the country witness its first female Finance Minister in its history.
Hunt, unlike several of his cabinet colleagues, had managed to defend his seat in the House. However, he acknowledged that the election day had been a bitter pill for his party and referred to the improving economic data. But then Hunt pondered: "Some Conservatives will ask themselves if the extent of our crushing defeat is truly justified. But when you lose the trust of the voters, it only matters to have the courage and humility to ask yourself why, so you can regain it."
The extent of the Tories' defeat and Labour's victory shows "that the British people trusted them more than us. And we must be honest with ourselves and ask ourselves some very fundamental questions. I hope we give ourselves the time for that."
Support for Labour Successor
The 57-year-old had held various ministerial positions since 2010, first serving as Finance Minister in Liz Truss's cabinet, then being appointed Finance Minister again by Rishi Sunak. Prior to that, he had led the Culture, Health, and Foreign ministries under Prime Minister Theresa May.
From his boss and neighbor in the Downing Street, he bid farewell with the words: "I was incredibly proud to serve under Rishi Sunak, but I wish the new Labour government all the best."
The new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Finance Minister Reeves are "capable people and dedicated public servants who have changed the Labour Party for the better. Regardless of our political differences, we need them now to be successful." Hunt expressed hope that the Labour-Party would implement "urgently needed reforms" in the National Health Service NHS as "conservative governments sometimes find that to be a challenge."
The former Finance Minister had special words for his wife, Lucia Guo: "I am so proud of my wife. Although she was not born in this country, she is the best campaigner I know." To his children, whom he hoped would finally sleep on election night, he said: "This may appear to be a hard day for our family as we leave Downing Street, but it is not."
The Tory Politician, who is considered a moderate voice in his party and a potential successor to Sunak at the party leadership, emphasized: "We have the incredible luck to live in a country where decisions like these are not made by bombs or bullets, but by thousands of simple citizens, peacefully putting crosses in ballot boxes." Every day, brave Ukrainians are dying "to defend their right to do what we did yesterday." That should never be taken for granted. Hunt concluded with the words: "Do not be sad, that's the magic of democracy."
In light of the Labour Party's victory in the British House of Commons election, the role of Finance Minister shifted to Rachel Reeves, marking a significant milestone for Great Britain. Jeremy Hunt, the departing Finance Minister, delivered an emotional speech reflecting on the Tories' defeat and the need for introspection within his party.
Despite the Tory Party's setback, Jeremy Hunt expressed his support for the new Labour government, recognizing the capabilities of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, despite their political differences.
