Rumors of Jeremy Hunt's Departure
Rumors have been circulating in Westminster about the future of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Speculation has been mounting that he may step down after next month's Autumn Statement.
Hunt's Spokesman Sets the Record Straight
However, Jeremy Hunt's spokesman has put an end to these rumors, stating that the Chancellor has no intention of resigning and plans to stand in the next election.
Chaos and Reshuffling
Hunt took over as Chancellor during the chaos surrounding Liz Truss's mini-Budget last year and completely dismantled her economic plans. There have been discussions among ministers and MPs about whether Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will reshuffle Hunt before the upcoming general election.
Pressure for Change
Some MPs have been calling for a change, suggesting that Hunt's pessimistic demeanor is not well-suited to facing the voters. They believe Sunak may prefer to replace Hunt with someone more upbeat, such as Pensions Secretary Mel Stride or even Claire Coutinho, a close ally and potential first female Chancellor.
Tough Battle Ahead
Hunt is expected to face a challenging campaign against the Liberal Democrats in his Surrey seat, which will be affected by boundary reviews.
Support for Hunt's Economic Decisions
Despite the pressure for change, Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick has defended Hunt's economic decisions as "sensible" and "prudent." He emphasized the importance of addressing inflation as the first task at hand.
