Kwasi Kwarteng: I’d do a better job than Rachel Reeves!

In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Kwasi Kwarteng, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, for a wide-ranging and unusually candid conversation about power, politics, and the realities of governing Britain.Kwasi reflects on his dramatic rise and fall in office, the chaos surrounding the mini-budget, and what it was really like to be at the centre of one of the most turbulent moments in modern British politics. He explains what went wrong, what he would do differently, and why he believes the political system struggles to tell the truth about economic trade-offs.We also explore his life beyond frontline politics, from his media work to his interest in business and Bitcoin, as well as his background, education, and journey into Parliament. The conversation ranges across identity politics, meritocracy, the decline of public trust, and why Britain’s institutions feel increasingly disconnected from the people they serve.Finally, we look at the current state of British politics. Kwasi gives his assessment of Labour’s economic direction, the rise of Reform, the breakdown of the two-party system, and what the next election could mean for the country’s future.This is a thoughtful and revealing conversation about ambition, failure, loyalty, and the long-term challenges facing Britain as it once again finds itself on the brink.Enjoy a 30-day free trial of The Brink’s Substack: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/newyeartrialWatch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/kwasi-kwarteng-id-do-a-better-job?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueDon't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/00:00 – Introduction 03:11 – From Power to Private Life06:08 – The Mini-Budget Fallout08:44 – Labour, Tax Rises & Public Disillusion12:06 – Britain’s Fractured Party System14:50 – Family Background, Education & Identity18:55 – Rejecting Identity Politics23:56 – Entering Politics & Street-Level Campaigning28:11 – Inside Parliament & Political Institutions33:00 – Becoming a Minister38:16 – Backing Liz Truss & Becoming Chancellor40:31 – The Mini-Budget: Pace, Panic & Mistakes44:46 – Markets, the Bank of England & What Went Wrong48:16 – Deep State vs Political Responsibility51:01 – Public Spending, Welfare & Growth55:00 – Labour’s Economic Direction58:43 – Immigration, Culture & Political Realignment1:03:03 – Reform, Conservatives & the Future of the Right1:06:59 – Loyalty, Power & Stopping the Left1:07:18 – Final Reflections on Britain’s Political Future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.