Kwasi Kwarteng – one of the more infamous characters from recent UK political events – met A-level students, and spoke candidly about his journey from his early days in parliament to his short-lived tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read history and classics, Kwasi entered the Commons in 2010 as the Member of Parliament for Spelthorne. His career in government saw him hold various ministerial positions, culminating in a brief but notable period as Chancellor in 2022.
During his visit, Kwasi discussed the challenges faced by those holding public office and spoke insightfully about the current British political landscape. In an interactive Q&A session, students and staff had the opportunity to ask about the mistakes he made as Chancellor and the lessons for future policymakers.
Kwasi was also invited to speculate about a wide range of issues, ranging from whether Boris Johnson might still be Prime Minister if the Covid-19 pandemic hadn’t occurred, to what we should expect from a government led by Sir Keir Starmer.
The event was a valuable experience, offering first-hand insights into the complexities of political life and the responsibilities that come with public office.
