‘I read about my promotion in the Sun’

21 January 2009

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Fraser Nelson meets the new shadow home secretary Chris Grayling: renowned for his pursuit of news stories, he would be a powerful figure under Prime Minister Cameron

That was last week. Now he is set to be not just a cabinet member but to occupy one of the great offices of state. During our brief post-promotion chat, he still seems unable to take it in. He’s enthusiastic about the civil liberties agenda. ‘I was as strong in my opposition to 42 days’ detention without charge as any Tory.’ But he does not venture opinions on the hotter topics of his brief — for example, whether the proposed British Bill of Rights will be superior to the EU Convention on Human Rights — and if not, what the point of it is. ‘It’s a very important issue,’ he says. ‘But I haven’t got to that level of detail yet.’

This is what’s so refreshing about Mr Grayling. He does his own grunt work, he likes to think — and research — before speaking and has an ego which has not yet grown into the role now assigned to him. ‘Politics is a funny game. But it’s also a team game,’ he says. ‘If the captain wants you to play right, even though your natural position is centre, then you do it.’ If a Tory government is elected, Mr Grayling will now undoubtedly be one of its most powerful members. Whether he likes it or not, this will be his new natural position.