Jonny Oates

Jonny Oates is special adviser to the Prime Minister David Cameron.

Background

From 2007, Oates was director for policy and communications for the Liberal Democrats - until 2008 when he departed for lobbying firm Bell Pottinger as a strategic media director. In November 2009, Oates returned to the party only one year after leaving. On his return, he joined the campaign team as director of general election communications; reporting to Chris Fox (whom had earlier replaced Oates). Discussing his return, Oates stated:

Nick asked me if I would like to go back. When I left I always regretted I hadn't been there for an election. Peter Bingle [Oates' boss at Bell Pottinger] is a political junkie himself and he completely understands my decision.

Of Oates' return to the Liberal Democrats, Peter Bingle, Public Affairs Chairman for Bell Pottinger, remarked:

I regard Jonny as the best strategic communications professional in the business. He has been a friend and colleague for many years. I understand why the lure of returning to front-line politics was too strong. Our loss is Nick Clegg's gain.

Oates added that his plan was to stay until two months after the election, and while he had not yet discussed the possibility of returning to Bell Pottinger, the party was "intending it to be a very successful election campaign, so opportunities may open up in that regard".

In 2010, opportunities did, indeed, "open up". Oates is now the highest paid Liberal Democrat adviser in Downing Street, having been appointed as the Government’s deputy communications director - attracting a salary of £98,500.