Jeremy Hunt said that Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet was “not necessarily a meritocracy” in a new leaked recording of the Chancellor appearing to distance himself from the Tory party’s record, i can reveal. Mr Hunt told a private meeting of Oxford University Conservative Association that the Prime Minister has to choose people “on the basis of their loyalty as well as ability.” The event, which was attended by around 45 Oxford students, took place on 9 May, less than two weeks before Mr Sunak called the general election.
The Chancellor is facing a major battle to avoid being the most high-profile ‘Portillo moment’ of the election night, admitting he is in a “knife edge battle” with the Liberal Democrats for his South West Surrey seat. During his appearance in Oxford, Mr Hunt was asked what advice he would give future politicians, in the recording leaked to i . He replied: “It’s important to understand that politics is different to any other career, because in nearly everything else you do, if you join the army, if you work hard and you’re smart, you can be confident of steady progression.
“Politics is a rollercoaster. You could become elected as an MP just at the start of a period of Labour being in power for 15 years.” “You know, you look around the Cabinet table and it’s not necessarily a meritocracy.
” The audience laughed at the remark, which appeared to be light-hearted, but in a nod to the reality of modern politics, Mr Hunt added: “That is a.
