Our latest Mitre Lecture welcomed former Chancellor and longest-serving Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, who delivered an engaging and frank session for our academic scholars, wider student body, staff and guests. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, he invited questions, creating an atmosphere that felt more like an open conversation than a formal talk.
Mr Hunt spoke openly about the ‘shock’ of becoming Health Secretary in 2012 with, as he put it, ‘limited experience in health’. He reflected on the huge responsibility of overseeing NHS England, the largest employer in Europe, and the urgency he felt following the Mid Staffordshire public inquiry, where more than 1,000 patients lost their lives due to poor quality of care. Introducing a clearer inspection system through the CQC is one of the achievements he says he remains most proud of. “We’re more open and honest about the standard of care now,” he told students.
He tackled big questions around NHS funding, the ageing population and the pressures facing public services. Despite acknowledging the scale of the challenges, he emphasised the ‘amazing values’ that underpin universal healthcare, and spoke movingly about the reductions in baby deaths during his tenure. “Having the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s health and lives through politics is a real privilege.”
Students were keen to probe him. Head Girl Abi asked about school rating systems, while others raised questions on how the NHS can attract young people, the complexity of reforms, and accountability. Third Year Hamish confidently asked why he didn’t “save the NHS” during his six-year tenure. Mr Hunt smiled: “Things take time… you can’t do it overnight. Each Health Secretary thinks they’ll save the NHS. The real answer I believe now is to free it from a centralised system.”
Another bold moment came from Upper Sixth student Jacob H, who asked, “you’ve been talking about honesty, do you honestly believed Kemi Badenoch is the best Leader of the Opposition?” Mr Hunt answered diplomatically, “It’s a very difficult job… you need to give people time.”
It was a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion that gave students a rare, honest window into public service at the highest level. With thanks to Sir Jeremy for his time and openness, and to all our students for their well-researched and thoughtful questions.
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Launched last year, the Mitre Lectures are a dynamic series of talks featuring high-profile external speakers, designed to engage students with big ideas each half term. Recent speakers have included: Dr Julia Ebner on radicalisation, Sathnam Sangher on imperialism, Laura Bates on Everyday Sexism and Sultana Tafadar KC on her experiences as the first hijab-wearing barrister to be appointed King’s Counsel.
