When David Cameron arrived at the Foreign Office on Monday, he told staff he might be a bit rusty when it comes to modern politics. He joked that the only WhatsApp group he is in ‘is to do with my children’s school play’. Cameron may have been out of frontline politics for a while, but the rules stay the same. As Tory leader, he championed his favourites and promoted his supporters to the cabinet table, even at the expense of ignoring older colleagues’ claims. This week, his successor has done the same.
A trio of thirtysomething former special advisers elected in 2019 now comprise the Prime Minister’s Praetorian Guard. Laura Trott, 38, the former pensions minister, is the chief secretary to the Treasury. Like Sunak’s deputy, Oliver Dowden, Trott worked as an adviser in Cameron’s No. 10. She also co-authored the party’s 2015 manifesto. That campaign inspires members of Sunak’s team, who hope to recreate its success next year.
There are echoes of 2014, when Cameron used fresh faces incabinet to front his campaign
Richard Holden, also 38, is the new party chairman.
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