Exclusive: Jeremy Hunt lost in thought over whether he can beat Boris

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt appeared lost in thought and took time to reflect, when he was asked by carehome.co.uk if he could defeat Boris Johnson to become Britain’s next Prime Minister.

Former health and social care secretary Jeremy Hunt. Credit:BBC

Speaking in Westminster, Mr Hunt looked pensively up to the ceiling of the Houses of Parliament’s central lobby, after he was asked by carehome.co.uk what he thought his chances were of beating Boris Johnson.

Mr Hunt’s campaign for the keys to 10 Downing Street may have seen him display unwavering confidence when launching passionate attacks at Mr Johnson for his refusal to engage in a TV face off on Sky News.

But on this occasion, there was a less convincing pause for thought as the seconds ticked by.

Jeremy Hunt finally took his eyes from the ornate mosaic ceiling to tell carehome.co.uk “It can be done.”

But as Mr Hunt busily woos Conservative members for their votes, those working in the care sector are less than impressed with his past record as Britain’s former health and social care secretary.

Mr Hunt is Britain’s longest-ever serving health secretary and was in post from 2012 until 2018.

Council chiefs from ADASS (The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) have revealed local authorities had been forced to make a £7bn reduction in adult social care funding since 2010.

With local government buckling under the financial strain, directors say the elderly and younger adults with disabilities are not getting the care they need.

During a live TV debate with PM candidates, Mr Hunt admitted Conservative cuts to adult social care council budgets under his watch had “gone too far”.

He has also promised the nation that as Prime Minister he would make it a priority to “sort” the “unfinished business” of social care.