UK PM May appoints Jeremy Hunt as new foreign minister

 

Britain's new Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt talks to the media outside the Foreign Office in central London, Britain, July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Jeremy Hunt as foreign minister on Monday after predecessor Boris Johnson resigned in protest at the government's plans for a close trading relationship with the European Union.

 

The appointment of Hunt, the long-serving health minister, sees a close May ally replace the maverick Johnson, and could alter the Brexit balance of May's top ministerial team.

 

While Johnson was one of the most high-profile Brexit campaigners, Hunt backed "Remain" during the 2016 referendum campaign.

Hunt told LBC Radio in October 2017, however, that he had changed his mind on the issue, in part because of what he said was disappointing "arrogance" in the EU's behaviour during negotiations.

 

Last month, Hunt said it was inappropriate for businesses like Airbus <AIR.PA> to issue warnings about moving jobs because of Brexit and that they should instead be getting behind May in her push for a good deal on leaving the EU.

 

"Huge honour to be appointed Foreign Secretary at this critical moment in our country’s history," he said in a tweet after his appointment.

 

"Time to back our PM to get a great Brexit deal - it's now or never..."

 

Hunt, 51, had served as health minister for more than 5-1/2 years, the longest term of any in the history of the state-funded National Health Service, weathering doctors' strikes, public discontent with funding levels and other challenges.

 

Hunt said it was a "massive wrench" for him to leave the department, adding: "I know some staff haven’t found me the easiest Health Sec".

 

Matt Hancock replaced Hunt as health secretary, while Attorney General Jeremy Wright was appointed as minister of digital culture, media and sport, Hancock's old job.

 

May's office said Geoffrey Cox would be the new attorney general.

 

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Gareth Jones and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-10

The problem is that this 'great Brexit deal' means that we are not actually going to be able to make our own laws!

It's preposterous to even consider it. 

 

 

 

He as the right surname - shame they spelt it wrong  

Good that his parents had the sense not to call him Mike.

Another A licker who was a remainer who supposedly claims to have change sides. Sums him up really. 

43 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

Good that his parents had the sense not to call him Mike.

 

What's wrong with Mike Hunt ?

 

 

Nice pun.

1 hour ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Another A licker who was a remainer who supposedly claims to have change sides. Sums him up really. 

The Brexiteer signed up to the PM’s negotiating position but didn’t want the job.

The new guy has that deer in the head lights kind of expression in the picture. Hope he is

a bit better at the job than the last guy.

Having packaged up the NHS like a kipper, he now has a free reign to go round the world, selling it off to the highest bidder.

A man whose only redeeming quality is that he is not immortal.

One large group of people, namely the NHS will be s happy gang today

2 hours ago, maximillian said:

 

What's wrong with Mike Hunt ?

 

 

Nice pun.

Go to a big shopping centre that has a paging system. Tell them your friend is lost and could they please page Mike Hunt to meet you at the entrance please? Then see what is wrong with the name. 555.

The view from over the water on yesterday's chaos .

 

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-times-view-on-the-political-turmoil-in-london-lurching-to-a-reckoning-1.3559242

Mighty powers are hellbent on avoiding that brexit.

Thats for sure.

Money money.

“YUUUGE” honour, to be more clear!

1 hour ago, Lampang2 said:

Mighty powers are hellbent on avoiding that brexit.

Thats for sure.

Money money.

And what’s wrong with money?

 

Defence, security, policing and the justice system, the NHS, welfare, pensions, schools, colleges and universities, the fire service, roads and highways..... the whole nation runs on ‘money’.

And what’s wrong with money?

 

Defence, security, policing and the justice system, the NHS, welfare, pensions, schools, colleges and universities, the fire service, roads and highways..... the whole nation runs on ‘money’.

Sure do.

 

But the money you mention don't excersice political pressure.

 

A different bag of money, a bag that rarely likes to contribute towards the public expenses.

 

 

And he comes with an in-house Chinese translator. Saves a few pennies, maybe.

"While Johnson was one of the most high-profile Brexit campaigners, Hunt backed "Remain" during the 2016 referendum campaign."

 

"Hunt told LBC Radio in October 2017, however, that he had changed his mind on the issue, in part because of what he said was disappointing "arrogance" in the EU's behaviour during negotiations."

 

And that's the best May could come up with?? ?

 

Although to be fair, I suspect a few remainers have turned into leavers as a result of the eu's non-negotiating behaviour, so PERHAPS he's telling the truth..... ?.

13 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

"While Johnson was one of the most high-profile Brexit campaigners, Hunt backed "Remain" during the 2016 referendum campaign."

 

"Hunt told LBC Radio in October 2017, however, that he had changed his mind on the issue, in part because of what he said was disappointing "arrogance" in the EU's behaviour during negotiations."

 

And that's the best May could come up with?? ?

 

Although to be fair, I suspect a few remainers have turned into leavers as a result of the eu's non-negotiating behaviour, so PERHAPS he's telling the truth..... ?.

I think he is probably one of the better choices for the job...

 

Hard line Brexiteers are just taking Briton down the pan.

 

Accepts we are leaving the EU and looking to do it on the best terms.

 

Presume it means he has just inherited a very full diary for Thursday and Friday and his wife is out buying a new outfits.

 

5 hours ago, DoctorG said:

Good that his parents had the sense not to call him Mike.

His second forename is Isaac

Hunt was the obvious choice given the selection on offer.  Dominic Raab, who is a despicable piece of work is more surprising at first glance.  However it is no good appointing anyone with any moral backbone to the job so...

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And what’s wrong with money?

 

Defence, security, policing and the justice system, the NHS, welfare, pensions, schools, colleges and universities, the fire service, roads and highways..... the whole nation runs on ‘money’.

 

Nothing wrong with money itself.

It's the greed for money.

That's what Lampang2 meant.

 

 

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Mighty powers are hellbent on avoiding that brexit.

Thats for sure.

Money money.

 

5 hours ago, Inepto Cracy said:

Go to a big shopping centre that has a paging system. Tell them your friend is lost and could they please page Mike Hunt to meet you at the entrance please? Then see what is wrong with the name. 555.

 

Tried it today at Tesco Lotus. Nothing happened.

 

Another slimeball only second to Gove.