Jonathan Michael Caine, Baron Caine (born 1966) is a British Member of the House of Lords and a former political aide (or "SPAD") who served six Secretaries of State.
The Lord Caine | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Lord-in-waiting Government Whip | |
| In office 24 November 2022 – 5 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Rishi Sunak |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | |
| In office 5 November 2021 – 5 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Boris Johnson Liz Truss[1] Rishi Sunak |
| Preceded by | The Lord Duncan of Springbank (2020) |
| Succeeded by | Fleur Anderson |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal | |
| Assumed office 20 October 2016 Life Peerage | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1966 (age 57–58) Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
Education and career
editCaine grew up in Leeds in the 1970s, and was educated at Templenewsam Halton Primary and Halton Middle School, then Temple Moor High School.[2] He studied history at the University of Leicester, where his specialism was the Conservative Party 1902-1940 which included the Home Rule Crisis 1912-14 and the Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921.[2]
He joined the Conservative Research Department (CRD) in 1987, working in the office next to David Cameron's.[2] He joined the party's Northern Ireland desk in 1988, and by 1991 was a special adviser at the Northern Ireland Office until 1995 – rejoining it in 2010.[2]
In 2008, Caine stated that he was a Director at Bell Pottinger Public Affairs.[3]
In 2014, Caine worked as special adviser to Theresa Villiers, being described in the press as her "right-hand man".[2] Caine had also worked for Owen Paterson, and was described by him as "one of the foremost experts on Northern Ireland". However, a senior member of the SDLP noted that, although he understood Unionism in Ireland, he had no real understanding of Irish republicanism, and no sympathy for it.[2]
As of 2016[update], Caine had worked for Tom King, Peter Brooke, Patrick Mayhew, Owen Paterson, Theresa Villiers and James Brokenshire.[2][4]
Jonathan Caine has been described as "one of the most quietly brilliant Westminster strategists, whose knowledge of Northern Ireland is formidable."[5] In his memoir, For The Record, former Prime Minister David Cameron is quoted in The Yorkshire Post as crediting Caine with being "an authority in his field and a tireless behind-the-scenes presence. He was – and remains – passionate about securing peace... in Northern Ireland, and maintaining our United Kingdom."[6]
He was nominated for a life peerage as part of David Cameron's Resignation Honours list and was created Baron Caine, of Temple Newsam in the City of Leeds, on 2 September 2016.[7][8]
On 5 November 2021, Caine was appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office.[9] On 24 November 2022, he was appointed as a whip (Lord-in-waiting) in addition to his role the NIO.
Personal life
editCaine supports Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos, and enjoys listening to Led Zeppelin.[2] He was a longstanding friend of David Trimble.[3] He is unmarried.
References
edit- ^ "Ministerial Appointments: September 2022". GOV.UK. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kane, Alex. "Profile: Jonathan Caine - Theresa Villiers' right hand man". Belfasttelegraph. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ a b Caine, Jonathan (29 April 2008). "Jonathan Caine: The Price of Peace". Conservative Home. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ Black, Rebecca (28 July 2016). "Ex-BBC Cardwell man to advise Secretary of State Brokenshire: reports". Belfasttelegraph. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ Matthew d'Ancona (28 June 2017). "This deal with the DUP could seriously hurt the Tory brand". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
- ^ Geraldine Scott (22 September 2019). "Jonathan Caine: 'Not many people go from Harehills to being a Tory in the Lords'". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- ^ "Resignation Honours 2016 - Publications - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ^ "No. 61699". The London Gazette. 8 September 2016. p. 19124.
- ^ "Lord Caine". www.gov.uk. HM Government. Retrieved 5 November 2021.