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Jo Johnson: a left-field choice to be David Cameron's policy chief Jo Johnson: a left-field choice to be David Cameron's policy chief
(5 months later)
It takes a certain chutzpah for a relatively new MP to stand their ground on a public platform with Peter Mandelson and to make the former business secretary look slightly out of touch.It takes a certain chutzpah for a relatively new MP to stand their ground on a public platform with Peter Mandelson and to make the former business secretary look slightly out of touch.
But that is exactly what Jo Johnson did when he dismissed an attempt by Mandelson to goad him into criticising David Cameron's plans to hold a referendum on EU membership.But that is exactly what Jo Johnson did when he dismissed an attempt by Mandelson to goad him into criticising David Cameron's plans to hold a referendum on EU membership.
Johnson, announced as the new Downing Street policy chief on Wednesday night, sat calmly at a recent Policy Network conference at the Guildhall and never raised his voice as he told Mandelson repeatedly that the "referendum genie" was now out of the bottle and would never return.Johnson, announced as the new Downing Street policy chief on Wednesday night, sat calmly at a recent Policy Network conference at the Guildhall and never raised his voice as he told Mandelson repeatedly that the "referendum genie" was now out of the bottle and would never return.
Mandelson thought Johnson, one of the most pro-European Tory MPs of the 2010 intake, would echo the widespread criticisms of the prime minister's pledge to hold an in/out referendum on Britain's EU membership.Mandelson thought Johnson, one of the most pro-European Tory MPs of the 2010 intake, would echo the widespread criticisms of the prime minister's pledge to hold an in/out referendum on Britain's EU membership.
Johnson, 41, is certainly cut from a different political cloth from the vast majority of Eurosceptic Tories, including his older brother Boris. But the first member of the Johnson family to secure a perch in Downing Street is a sophisticated operator who is too canny to fall into a trap set by Mandelson.Johnson, 41, is certainly cut from a different political cloth from the vast majority of Eurosceptic Tories, including his older brother Boris. But the first member of the Johnson family to secure a perch in Downing Street is a sophisticated operator who is too canny to fall into a trap set by Mandelson.
The exchanges with one of the founders of New Labour highlight the area that prompted many Tories to raise their eyebrows at Johnson's appointment. One Tory said: "Jo Johnson has a cool intellect and is very civilised. But he is very leftwing. He is very pro-European."The exchanges with one of the founders of New Labour highlight the area that prompted many Tories to raise their eyebrows at Johnson's appointment. One Tory said: "Jo Johnson has a cool intellect and is very civilised. But he is very leftwing. He is very pro-European."
Even members of the shadow cabinet were surprised. One said: "When you talk to Jo Johnson it sounds like he should be in the Labour party."Even members of the shadow cabinet were surprised. One said: "When you talk to Jo Johnson it sounds like he should be in the Labour party."
The prime minister is fully aware of Johnson's background, not least because they share a great deal in common. Both attended Eton, though not at the same time, and both were members of the Bullingdon club at Oxford. Johnson was a member at the same time as his Oxford contemporary George Osborne, and looked more self-possessed than the future chancellor in their famous Bullingdon group photograph.The prime minister is fully aware of Johnson's background, not least because they share a great deal in common. Both attended Eton, though not at the same time, and both were members of the Bullingdon club at Oxford. Johnson was a member at the same time as his Oxford contemporary George Osborne, and looked more self-possessed than the future chancellor in their famous Bullingdon group photograph.
In a later essay on the same theme for the Civitas thinktank, Johnson wrote: "As trade is an exclusive EU competence, the coalition must maximise Britain's influence in Brussels so that the commission reflects UK interests to the greatest extent possible in the negotiations over the long-awaited EU-India free trade agreement."In a later essay on the same theme for the Civitas thinktank, Johnson wrote: "As trade is an exclusive EU competence, the coalition must maximise Britain's influence in Brussels so that the commission reflects UK interests to the greatest extent possible in the negotiations over the long-awaited EU-India free trade agreement."
Johnson joined forces last year with Nick Pearce, the director of the centre-left Institute for Public Policy Research, to argue in an FT article that the government was in danger of "artificially hobbling" economic growth by placing restrictions on overseas students. Cameron made clear during his recent visit to India that overseas students could travel to Britain provided they spoke English, could fund themselves and had a place on a proper academic course.Johnson joined forces last year with Nick Pearce, the director of the centre-left Institute for Public Policy Research, to argue in an FT article that the government was in danger of "artificially hobbling" economic growth by placing restrictions on overseas students. Cameron made clear during his recent visit to India that overseas students could travel to Britain provided they spoke English, could fund themselves and had a place on a proper academic course.
Johnson, who is particularly close to his older sister Rachel, is a strong supporter of his more famous older brother. While they share the same brainpower, they are contrasting characters. Johnson minimus – he is the youngest of three brothers – appears not to have an ostentatious bone in his body.Johnson, who is particularly close to his older sister Rachel, is a strong supporter of his more famous older brother. While they share the same brainpower, they are contrasting characters. Johnson minimus – he is the youngest of three brothers – appears not to have an ostentatious bone in his body.
They both married women who do not exactly hail from the Tory tribe: Boris's wife, Marina, is a human rights lawer; Jo's wife, Amelia Gentleman, is an award-winning Guardian writer on poverty.They both married women who do not exactly hail from the Tory tribe: Boris's wife, Marina, is a human rights lawer; Jo's wife, Amelia Gentleman, is an award-winning Guardian writer on poverty.
Cameron has appointed Johnson because he admires the razor-sharp intellect of the Balliol scholar who took a first in history. The prime minister also regards Johnson as a collegiate figure who will find common ground among the differing members of the new Conservative policy board he will chair in Cameron's absence.Cameron has appointed Johnson because he admires the razor-sharp intellect of the Balliol scholar who took a first in history. The prime minister also regards Johnson as a collegiate figure who will find common ground among the differing members of the new Conservative policy board he will chair in Cameron's absence.
The most significant factor in Johnson's favour is that the former editor of the FT's Lex column understands the challenge posed to European countries by the emerging economies of India and China. Johnson, who served as the FT's bureau chief in Delhi, accompanied the prime minister on his first overseas trade mission to India, in July 2010, shortly after his election as MP for Orpington.The most significant factor in Johnson's favour is that the former editor of the FT's Lex column understands the challenge posed to European countries by the emerging economies of India and China. Johnson, who served as the FT's bureau chief in Delhi, accompanied the prime minister on his first overseas trade mission to India, in July 2010, shortly after his election as MP for Orpington.
Johnson's writings on how to ensure Britain survives in such a competitive world provide a mine for Tory critics of Cameron. The pro-European Business for New Europe group, run by Mandelson's old friend Roland Rudd and regarded with great suspicion by many Tories, provided Johnson with £1,750 in travel and accommodation costs last April to help him research an essay on improving links between Britain and India.Johnson's writings on how to ensure Britain survives in such a competitive world provide a mine for Tory critics of Cameron. The pro-European Business for New Europe group, run by Mandelson's old friend Roland Rudd and regarded with great suspicion by many Tories, provided Johnson with £1,750 in travel and accommodation costs last April to help him research an essay on improving links between Britain and India.
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