Chancellor Jeremy Hunt dismisses swirling rumours that he is set to stand down as an MP before election to avoid losing seat in a ‘Michael Portillo moment’

Jeremy Hunt today dismissed swirling rumours that he is set to quit as an MP before the election to avoid suffering a ‘Michael Portillo moment’.

The Chancellor insisted he will be the candidate for Godalming & Ash when the country goes to the polls. 

The seat is being created by the redrawing of boundaries in Mr Hunt’s current South West Surrey constituency, but he has been facing a growing challenge from the Lib Dems.

The Cabinet veteran’s majority has gone from over 28,000 in 2015 to under 9,000 in 2019, with issues such as Brexit hitting support in the so-called ‘Blue Wall’.

A shake-up of boundaries means South West Surrey is being effectively split in two. Mr Hunt has been formally selected for Godalming & Ash, where his family lives – but that has not prevented speculation about his intentions.

Opponents have boasted that Mr Hunt’s defeat at a general election could be remembered alongside that of Michael Portillo, who memorably fell victim to Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide when he lost Enfield Southgate.  

Jeremy Hunt today dismissed swirling rumours that he is set to quit as an MP before the election to avoid suffering a ‘Michael Portillo moment’

Michael Portillo memorably fell victim to Tony Blair ‘s 1997 landslide when he lost Enfield Southgate (pictured)

Although by-elections never translate directly, if replicated at a general election the 20-plus percentage point swings seen would see the Conservatives reduced to a rump of just 20 seats

One former minister told the Observer that unless things improved for the Tories the picture was bleak for Mr Hunt – a millionaire from his previous career in business.

‘Barring a miracle, I can’t see Jeremy wanting to be in opposition under a new leader. And if he loses he will be the biggest scalp on election night. That is not a departure anyone would want. People in Surrey are saying he will not stand.’

The Tories suffered two shattering blows last week when Labour seized true-blue strongholds Mid Beds and Tamworth, overturning massive majorities.

Experts said the results put Sir Keir firmly on track for No10 next year. Although by-elections never translate directly, if replicated at a general election the 20-plus percentage point swings seen would see the Conservatives reduced to a rump of just 20 seats. 

Mr Hunt’s long-time Lib Dem adversary in South West Surrey, Paul Follows, has been selected for Godalming & Ash.

The Lib Dem leader on Waverley council has vowed to ‘work to ensure that the Portillo moment in the public mindset will become the Hunt moment’.

A spokesman for the Chancellor said: ‘Jeremy Hunt will stand as the Conservative Party candidate for Godalming and Ash at the next general election.’

Mr Hunt would face questions about whether he could stay on as Chancellor if he declared he is standing down.  

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