Colonial rule: Why Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians are running Britain

Last month, David Cameron convened a meeting of his most important advisers at Chequers. The Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Conservative party chairman were all present, but there was little doubt who was in charge. The Australian strategist Lynton Crosby was dominant, doling out orders and drawing up ‘action points’. One of those in the room recalls: ‘Lynton was fantastic. He made sure there was an agenda, that everyone stuck to it.’

It might seem odd for an Aussie to be telling the British PM what to do, especially in this most English of settings, but it’s mainly because of his nationality that the ‘Wizard of Oz’ gets to call the shots. His reputation as a toughie from the outback gives him the authority to speak plainly and issue orders.

But Crosby is only part of a wider takeover of our public life by English-speaking ‘tough guys’ from the ‘dominions’. A South African, Ryan Coetzee, directs the political strategy of the Liberal Democrats. A Canadian, Mark Carney, has now become governor of the Bank of England, and with so many powers at his disposal that he can be seen as the single most important figure in our economy. These three, Crosby, Coetzee and Carney, will be critical in determining the state of the country, and the national mood, come the next election.

Professionals from the colonies are everywhere once you start looking. The England cricket team may have shredded our nerves at the weekend but its win in the first Ashes Test has boosted our spirits. Much of the credit for this victory rests with the side’s Zimbabwean coach, Andy Flower. And the successful British Lions tour of Australia was masterminded by the New Zealander Warren Gatland, who is also the Welsh head coach.

From Westminster to Lords, from Threadneedle Street to the try line, a theme is emerging.