2013-04-16 10:05:26 +02:00

473 lines
15 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
Raw Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

news
politics
conservative
8044285
-----
# Top 100 most influential Right-wingers: 25-1
## The final part of our list looking at who wields power on the Right of
British politics.
![David Cameron, George Osborne, Nick Clegg and Francis Maude][1]
Image 1 of 3
David Cameron, George Osborne, Nick Clegg and Francis Maude
![Eric Pickles, William Hague, Boris Johnson and Andy Coulson][2]
Image 1 of 3
Eric Pickles, William Hague, Boris Johnson and Andy Coulson
![Tony Blair, Michael Gove, Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa May][3]
Image 1 of 3
Tony Blair, Michael Gove, Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa May
Compiled by Iain Dale and Brian Brivati 7:45AM BST 06 Oct 2010
[Comments][4]
**25. (-12) MARGARET THATCHER **
_Former Prime Minister _
It took the election of a new Conservative Prime Minister to finally nail the
fallacy that the Conservative Party is still trying to come to terms with
Margaret Thatcher's demise twenty years ago. Her shadow no longer casts itself
over the entire party, but she is rightly still treated with huge respect and
affection
**24. (-13) SAMANTHA CAMERON **
_Wife of the Prime Minister _
## Related Articles
* [Top 100 most influential Right-wingers: 100-76][5]
03 Oct 2010
* [Top 100 most influential Right-wingers: 75-51][6]
04 Oct 2010
* [Top 100 most influential Right-wingers: 50-26][7]
05 Oct 2010
* [Cameron's winning ways][8]
05 Oct 2009
* [Choosing the top 100 most influential Right-wingers 2010][9]
06 Oct 2010
* [Liam Fox: Labour 'like out of control online shoppers'][10]
06 Oct 2010
Despite a small fall in this year's list, it is wrong to think that Samantha
Cameron's influence is on the wane. She has been surpassed by the fact that
those above her are generally in senior posts in government, either elected or
appointed. There's little doubt that Mrs C is used as a key sounding board by
her husband and that her views are a great influence on him.
**23. (+54) SAYEEDA WARSI **
_Co-Chairman, Conservative Party _
Sayeeda Warsi's rapid elevation through the ranks without having to undergo
the inconvenience of being elected is nevertheless well deserved. An excellent
media performer, she manages to tread the tightrope of collective
responsibility with some difficult at times, but because of it, she's
respected by her audience. She has some key organisational challenges ahead of
her in her new role as co-chairman of the Conservative Party.
**22. (+3) JEREMY HUNT **
_Secretary of State for Culture Media & Sport _
Jeremy Hunt is certainly a potential successor to David Cameron but needs to
be given more experience in other portfolios and to develop a harder political
edge. On TV he comes across as the voice of sweet Tory reason, which in the
modern political environment is a great gift. He will be judged in part on how
he deals with the BBC.
**21. (+2) PATRICK McLOUGHLIN **
_Government Chief Whip _
The role of Chief Whip in government is a crucial one and Patrick McLoughlin
has made an excellent start. He has inducted the new intake of new
Conservative MPs, who make up 49 per cent of the new parliamentary party, with
consummate professionalism.
**20. (-4) LIAM FOX **
_Secretary of State for Defence _
Liam Fox is positioning himself as the champion of the right and is not afraid
to defend his corner vociferously. The letter he sent David Cameron about
defence cuts indicated a firmness of purpose but only time will tell if this
approach works.
**19. (-2) KENNETH CLARKE **
_Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State for Justice _
Ken Clarke maintains an airy indifference to the burdens of state and sails
through life as if he wouldn't care if his political career ended tomorrow.
That approach may be unusual but it confers a degree of influence other
politicians do not have. His radical ideas on prison reform are causing
jitters in the party, but he's determined to see them through.
**18. (+10) ANDREW FELDMAN **
_Co-Chairman, Conservative Party _
Feldman is one of David Cameron's close personal friends from his university
days, and was treasurer of his leadership campaign. He has made his own
fortune through his family clothing firm, Jayroma. He was promoted from his
position as chief executive of the party to the co-chairmanship. Baroness
Warsi is front of house, while Feldman is tasked with reshaping the party's
finances and headquarters organisation.
**17. (+2). OLIVER LETWIN **
_Minister Without Portfolio _
Oliver Letwin is rarely seen in public these days but his reluctance to appear
on the nation's airwaves should not be seen as a sign of diminishing
influence. On the contrary. He played a pivotal role in the Coalition
negotiations and his broader policy remit will be crucial in the years ahead.
**16. (-2) PHILIP HAMMOND **
_Secretary of State for Transport _
Having planned to be Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Philip Hammond was a
victim of the need to import Lib Dem Ministers into the coalition. Since his
appointment as Transport Secretary he has been surprisingly radical in some of
his decisions. One to watch.
**15. (+6) IAIN DUNCAN SMITH **
_Secretary of State for Work & Pensions _
IDS has slowly resurrected his reputation since his fall from the leadership
and has become the party's conscience on social justice. His lack of political
ambition means that he is in a very strong bargaining position. Cameron can't
afford to lose him. He seems to have won a battle with George Osborne over
welfare reform, but now comes the hard part - implementing it.
**14. (+10) THERESA MAY **
_Home Secretary _
One of the great survivors of modern politics, Theresa May is enjoying a new
political renaissance. She has made a strong start in a job few had tipped her
for. She remains the best known female face (with the best known feet) on the
Tory front bench, which insulates against those who don't 'get' her.
**13. (-5) MICHAEL GOVE **
_Secretary of State for Education _
It has to be said that Michael Gove's cabinet career could have got off to a
better start, but one gaffe should not mar his reputation for long. Gove is an
ultra Cameroon and remains part of the Cameron inner group.
**12. (NEW) TONY BLAIR **
_Prime Minister 1997-2007 _
It may at first sight seem odd that Tony Blair should be included on a list of
people on the right, let alone this year. But his influence lives on in
Downing Street with the Cameron team adopting a large part of his public
sector reform agenda - the very agenda he failed to get past Gordon Brown.
**11. (-8) ANDY COULSON **
_Director of Communications, Number 10 Downing Street _
Coulson has become a serial survivor. Many felt that the latest attacks on him
over the News of the World phone hacking scandal might result in a scalp, but
he's made of tough stuff and came through relatively unscathed. Lobby
journalists complain that he never talks to them and doesn't 'feed' them, but
he is running a smooth communications machine in the heart of Downing Street
and so far hasn't slipped up.
**10. (-4) STEVE HILTON **
_Director of Strategy, Number 10 Downing Street _
Steve Hilton is another Cameron adviser who slips slightly this year - not
because his influence is on the wane - it isn't. It's just that he has been
slightly overtaken by others. His policy agenda is still the one which
dominates and his success in working with Nick Clegg's adviser team, and
melding them into his own operation is a key reason why the Coalition has got
off to a smooth start.
**9. (-5) LORD ASHCROFT **
_Former Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party _
Michael Ashcroft's influence remains strong, especially after the publication
of his 'Minority Report' pamphlet which sought to explain the reasons why the
Conservative Party didn't win an outright majority at the election. His
subsequent resignation as Deputy Chairman of the Party means that he falls a
little this year, but his influence on the party's approach to campaigning in
marginal seats will endure.
**8. (-3) BORIS JOHNSON **
_Mayor of London _
Boris's popularity continues to astonish. Even in the middle of his term of
office he has far more positives than negatives in the polls. He has been a
staunch defender of London's interests in public spending discussions with the
Treasury but it remains to be seen which aspects of his transport
infrastructure budget will remain protected.
**7. (-) WILLIAM HAGUE **
_Foreign Secretary _
If William Hague came close to quitting politics over the recent non-scandal
involving his special advisor, Chris Myers, one could hardly have blamed him.
His position as defacto Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party remains intact
and he continues to be one of the Prime Minister's closest confidantes as well
as remaining hugely popular with the voluntary party.
**6. (+9) ERIC PICKLES **
_Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government _
By common consent, Eric Pickles has been the star performer of the Coalition
so far. He has gripped his department like few other ministers and implemented
a dizzy array of eye-catching reforms which have led to massive cuts and
efficiencies in his own department's budget. He is not one of David Cameron's
inner circle, yet he has been a consistently high performer. Some even talk of
him as a potential successor to David Cameron.
**5. (+4) EDWARD LLEWELLYN **
_Chief of Staff, Number 10 Downing Street _
A close friend of Cameron since their days at Eton and Oxford, Llewellyn also
worked with him in the Conservative Research Department in the early 1990s. He
then worked as an adviser to Chris Patten in Hong Kong, before taking up a
position with Paddy Ashdown in the Balkans. His role is the lynchpin of
Cameron's private office. He's not merely a gatekeeper, he is a key influence
on Cameron, particularly on foreign policy. Llewellyn played an important role
on the Coalition talks, using his contacts with Paddy Ashdown in a
particularly skilful manner.
**4. (+18) FRANCIS MAUDE **
_Minister of State, Cabinet Office _
Francis Maude has had a good year, even if few seem to have noticed. His years
of hard work preparing the Conservative Party for government have paid off
massively. The implementation team which he headed up ensured that ministerial
teams were prepared on Day One to put in place the policies they have been
preparing in opposition. Maude forewent a full cabinet post without complaint
but is now playing a massively important role in progress chasing throughout
government and redrawing the very shape of government.
**3. (NEW) NICK CLEGG **
_Deputy Prime Minister _
Some may question the inclusion of the leader of the Liberal Democrats in a
list of influential people on the right. But Clegg has proved in the last six
months that he really does belong on this list. His recognition of the need to
cut the deficit and do it quickly is one reason. His clear influence over
David Cameron is the other. He is an 'Orange Book' liberal who recognises the
importance of the free market and the small state. Time will tell if he is
able to drag the statist elements of his party with him.
**2. (+1) GEORGE OSBORNE **
_Chancellor of the Exchequer _
The Chancellor has had a good year. The next few weeks will determine whether
the next twelve months will be as successful. The Comprehensive Spending
Review will define Osborne's period as Chancellor for good or ill. He has
shown signs of bravery and seems willing to be able to take calculated risks.
All good politicians are risk takers and all good politician are lucky
politicians. Osborne seems to be both.
**1.(-) DAVID CAMERON **
_Prime Minister & Leader of the Conservative Party _
Despite not becoming Prime Minister with an overall parliamentary majority,
David Cameron achieved his main goal. He is master of all he surveys in his
own party and seems totally at ease leading a Coalition. He persuaded his
party of its merits and there were few signs of dissent. Just as importantly
Cameron seems to have taken to the job of PM like a duck to water - none of
the clunking uncertainty of his predecessor.
[X][11] Share & bookmark
Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
[What are these?][12]
* Share: [Share][11] [ ][13] [ ][14]
[Tweet][15]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/8044285/Top-100-most-
influential-Right-wingers-25-1.html
Telegraph
## [Conservative][16]
* ### [News »][17]
* ### [Politics »][18]
* ### [UK News »][19]
* ### [By election »][20]
* ### [Telegraph Lists »][21]
In news
[![True blue: if David Cameron fell under a bus, Liam Fox would be the Right's
front-runner][22] ][23]
### [Who are the standard-bearers of the Tory Right?][23]
[![Prime Minister David Cameron (R) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg hold
their first joint press conference in the Downing Street garden][24]][25]
### [In charge from day one][25]
[![One year of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in
pictures][26] ][27]
### [One year of the coalition][27]
[![General Election 2010 results][28]][29]
### [UK Political Database][29]
[![History of the House of Commons][30]][31]
### [History of the Commons][31]
[X][11] Share & bookmark
Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
[What are these?][12]
Share:
* [ ][11]
* [ ][13]
* [ ][14]
* [Tweet][15]
* Advertisement
![][32]
telegraphuk
Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.][33] [blog
comments powered by Disqus][34]
[![Follow The Telegraph on social media][35]][36]
Advertisement
[UK Political Database »][29]
Search Telegraph.co.uk's UK Political Database.
Advertisement
sponsored features
Loading
News Most Viewed
* TODAY
* PAST WEEK
* PAST MONTH
1. [3.5 minutes of terror: Air France crash dropped at 10,000 feet a
minute][37]
2. [Royal wedding: a peek into royal couple's honeymoon paradise][38]
3. [Councils spend 100m on taxpayer-funded credit cards][39]
4. [Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge wreck reveals secrets of the real
Pirate of the Caribbean][40]
5. [President Obama’s top ten insults against Britain – 2011
edition][41]
1. [O'Bama? Oh puh-lease!][42]
2. [Rapture: the end was not nigh, after all][43]
3. [Cannes 2011: Peter Fonda encourages his grandchildren to take up arms
against President Barack Obama][44]
4. [Apocalypse not right now: 'Rapture' end of world fails to
materialise][45]
5. [Michelle Obama fights to control summer dress in windy London][46]
1. [Joe Biden opens his mouth about US Navy SEALs][47]
2. [Royal wedding live][48]
3. [Italians evacuate Rome over 'big one' fears][49]
4. [Osama bin Laden dead: Blackout during raid on bin Laden compound][50]
5. [Kate Middleton's family take action over nude pictures 'betrayal'][51]
Advertisement
[TELEGRAPH JOBS »][52]
* [Courses][53]
* [Services][54]
* [Jobs][55]
Loading
[Find a course with Telegraph Courses][56]
var puffs_8160515 = new Array();