I suspect the identity of the Prime Minister’s next director of communications is of far
more interest to those who work in Westminster than those in the country at large. But the identity of Coulson’s successor will reveal something about the balance of power in the coalition and at
the Cameron court.
I’m told that the Tories are in no rush to make the appointment, they’d rather take their time and try and find the right person. Despite what Nick Clegg said on Marr this morning, I’m informed that this will be very much a Tory-run selection process.
Those in the know say that as with the Coulson appointment, George Osborne will play the crucial role. The Chancellor, who remains the de facto boss of the Cameron political operation, is keen for a media heavy hitter who knows and understands the Conservative party. He is known to think particularly highly of Will Lewis, the former Telegraph editor.
Lewis would bring a knowledge of both newspapers and the internet to the role; he also attended a London comprehensive, which would counter the ‘government of toffs’ line. His more strategic approach would deal with Hilton’s big criticism of Coulson. Set against this is that Lewis is currently working for News International. Hiring another person from this company might lead to more criticism of the preceived closeness between the Cameron’s circle and the Murdoch press.
Guto Harri is another name in the frame, Osborne approached him before he hired Coulson. But the Boris Johnson camp is confident that he’ll stay. Osborne is also aware of the importance of Boris’ re-election to the Tory cause.
Some in the Cameron camp are keen on Tom Bradby, ITN’s political editor. They argue that what is needed in the role is a broadcast not a print journalist. But Bradby, who – ironically – through his friendship with Prince William helped uncover the whole phone hacking scandal in the first place, would not bring the voice of Essex Man to the Cameron top table in the way that Coulson did.
If Coulson’s old role is split in two with one person taking charge of the media grid and another doing the more strategic side of things, then some other names come into play. Matthew d’Ancona, the former Spectator editor who is close to Osborne, and Ian Birrell, an ally of Steve Hilton who worked for Cameron during the election, would both be contenders.
One thing Downing Street should do is use this opportunity to do a fundamental audit of how Number 10 is running. This is a chance for them to think about what they want it to do and whether it is delivering for them.
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