Geoffrey Cox – the most important politician you’ve never heard of

In the end, the star of Conservative conference was a Brexiteer. Only it wasn’t Boris Johnson – or even Jacob Rees-Mogg. Instead, it was someone with a much lower media profile – Geoffrey Cox QC. Theresa May’s recently appointed Attorney General stole the show with a Mufasa-inspired barn-storming stage routine. In it, Cox’s booming baritone echoed across the hall as he gave a robust defence of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union – and May’s Chequers agreement:

As Conservative MPs watched from the front row seats, a few had to admit that they weren’t sure who their colleague was. The bulk found that they didn’t have his phone number. Prior to Cox being appointed Attorney General, the 58-year-old MP has been mostly absent from the Westminster party scene. He doesn’t take part in any of the various Tory WhatsApp groups and his job as a successful QC has meant that he spends a considerable amount of time outside of Parliament.