Johnson junior enters 10 Downing Street

Orpington MP Jo Johnson, younger brother of the Mayor of London, will enter 10 Downing Street as a Cabinet Office Minister and the head of the Prime Minister’s policy unit.

Older brother Boris Johnson was delighted, commenting that “there will finally be a Johnson in number 10. Jo will be superb.” He also jokingly referred to his other siblings, adding “now for Rachel and Leo.”

The appointment of Mr Johnson into these roles is said to have been designed to improve communication between the Prime Minister and his party.

Mr Johnson will be responsible for making the ideas and priorities of the Tory party heard by the government.

The policy unit’s tasks will be to produce new ideas and help give the party focus prior to the next general election.

One unnamed Conservative source told The Telegraph that the appointments were part of a more “Thatcher style” unit and added that “the advisory board will strengthen the connective tissue between Downing Street and the Parliamentary Party, and Jo Johnson will be a great asset in helping the Prime Minister drive Conservative policy priorities through Government.”

However, some have remained cynical about the new approach. Labour MP Michael Dugher contended: “the country needs new policies, not a new policy team”.  

Molly Kersey