Many a person would likely have thought twice before accusing Stephen Hawking of peddling “pernicious” falsehoods, but that was the reaction of Jeremy Hunt, Britain’s new Foreign Secretary. Last year, the physicist launched a scathing attack on the government’s approach to the NHS, accusing Mr. Hunt — then Health Minister — of misrepresenting and “cherry picking” research. Mr. Hunt struck back, accusing Hawking of making claims without evidence. He was widely ridiculed for attempting to lecture Hawking’s understanding of evidence-based research.
How did he fare as Health Minister?
Before taking on the role of Foreign Secretary, following the resignation of Boris Johnson earlier this month, Mr. Hunt, 51, spent six years as Health Minister. During that period, he sparred often with those in the medical profession over the direction of health policy, amid huge funding pressures on the NHS and concerns about privatisation through the back door. Last month, much was made of an additional £20 billion in NHS funding announced to coincide with the NHS’ 70th anniversary. It was pegged as a victory for Mr. Hunt by some, though others argued that it was the bare minimum the institution needed to continue functioning.
Is he controversial?
On the face of it, the Oxford-educated Mr. Hunt marks a sharp change from Mr. Johnson — who was known for his blustering manner, and tendency towards gaffes (which proved particularly embarrassing to Britain on the world stage, including when he recited verses of colonialist poet Rudyard Kipling in a temple in Myanmar). By contrast, Mr. Hunt’s public appearances have, by and large, been more measured and deliberate, and in keeping with the approach of some of Mr. Johnson’s predecessors. However, Mr. Hunt’s political career has not been without controversy. When he was Culture Minister, he faced criticism for exchanging friendly texts with James Murdoch while his department was responsible for looking into the (unsuccessful) attempt by News Corporation to take over Sky. Earlier this year, he broke ranks with the rest of the Cabinet members, who had been cautious in their willingness to criticise the U.S. administration, publicly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s attack on the NHS. “I may disagree with claims made on that march but not ONE of them wants to live in a system where 28m people have no cover,” he tweeted He is also not without political ambitions: while he decided against bidding for the leadership of the Conservative party following the 2016 resignation of David Cameron, a number of the British media have indicated he considers himself very much still in play.
What are his views on Brexit?
Unlike Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hunt campaigned to remain in the EU. While the Foreign Office isn’t directly involved in Brexit negotiations, Mr. Hunt has since sought to pacify Brexiteers by insisting he would vote to leave if there were a second referendum, while he accused companies which warned their operations in Britain could be reviewed in the event of a no-deal Brexit of making “completely inappropriate” threats. Having dealt with U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial visit in his first day in the new role, Mr. Hunt made his first foreign trip this week as he visited Berlin. He warned that without a change in approach from EU negotiators there was a “very real risk of a Brexit no-deal by accident” and that while many Europeans thought Britain would blink if they waited long enough, this would just not happen.
What is his stand on India?
Mr. Hunt, a former entrepreneur, has never had a foreign office role before being propelled into one of the four Great Offices of State. He lists Japan, Brazil and Kenya as among his countries of particular interest. He worked as a foreign language teacher many years ago, while the education listings company he co-founded (and sold) has offices across the world, including India. With Brexit negotiations under way, and a separate international trade department, the Foreign Office’s significance may not be what it once was. However, with U.K.-India relations facing some of their most challenging moments in recent years, thanks to a host of issues relating to immigration, extradition, and India’s perception that Britain is willing to tolerate anti-India extremists, a measured approach will be needed to build bridges. Mr. Hunt’s ability to deliver on this remains, like much of British politics at the moment, uncertain.
