The Real Reasons Populism Is Taking Over
2 April 2026
74. Kwasi Kwarteng: Liz Truss, becoming Chancellor, and Britain on the brink (Part 2)
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Podcast
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20 May 2024
Why did the Tory Party choose to make Liz Truss and Boris Johnson prime minister? How does it feel to be the second shortest-serving chancellor in post-war history? What was the true thinking behind the disastrous Truss-Kwarteng mini-budget?
On today's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined for the second and final episode of their conversation with former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng.
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Both interviews very interesting, thank you. Im impressed by Kwasi’s frankness but flabbergasted by his casual attitude – the lack of serious consideration in his decision making in the face of clear evidence, even when he had serious doubts about people (Truss, Johnson) and policies (Brexit, Mini-budget), that he was fronting is appalling – despite the known impact his decisions will have on the economy and people of the country. It’s like an intellectual game to see what might happen and if it’s a disaster so be it – no thought for the victims. I’m afraid it speaks to a background of privilege and comfort that overrides his undoubted intelligence. This culture of ‘I’m alright Jack’ in conservative politics with its lack of any moral compass whatsoever has been characteristic of the current government over the last 15 years. It has gone way beyond the economy and created serious schisms and dangers which will take years to recover from, if ever. He will now walk away and indulge himself by writing another book or working in the city while thousand of lives are ruined by his wrecklessness.
To him it all seems to be a big laugh.
He was as disappointing as I imagined he’d be.
My family are suffering thanks to his and Liz Truss’ budget and I wanted to try to understand his reasoning but
he came across to me as deficient and despicable.