On Wednesday 22nd July, our CEO, Ryan Henson, interviewed former Foreign Secretary and Chair of the Health Select Committee Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP on the big issues of today, including the UK’s relationship with China, our response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the UK’s role as a force for good in the world.

On the DFID/ FCO Merger

Hunt said he had wrestled with this idea when he was Foreign Secretary, and that it was a ‘genuinely difficult, nuanced’ issue. He ultimately didn’t advocate for the merger as DFID ‘does Britain proud’ and had ‘earned its spurs.’

He said he could understand how bringing the two departments together could strengthen the Foreign Secretary’s voice, as long as the focus on tackling poverty was maintained.

Hunt also stated that there should be a DFID Minister with a seat at the cabinet table, as it would reassure people that there was not a downgrading of development.

On Trump & the US Elections

Hunt told the audience that the British Government had to find a way of working with the US President, whoever they were, in November. He acknowledged this was a ‘particularly important moment’, and that the progression of values was not a certainty.

He stressed that the UK should help the US rebuild an international alliance.

On Pandemics & the Developing World

Hunt pondered on why Covid-19 still hadn’t had the impact expected in Africa, but acknowledged that this could be a measuring issue, or that it was due to a very young population.

Even if it didn’t directly affect the poorest countries, Hunt said, it would have a knock-on effect as there would almost certainly be a global recession, hitting the developing world the hardest.

On Supporting the World’s Poorest

Hunt stressed that it was vital for the UK to maintain its commitment to supporting the world’s poorest, and that it was in keeping with British values to do so.  Hunt finished by saying that he hoped the UK never became an insular country, and that as Foreign Secretary he was struck by how much respect people in other countries had for the UK, as they recognised its role as a champion for democratic values, and for bringing stability and prosperity to those who need it most.