Oliver Dowden
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This article is part of the Lobbying Portal, a sunlight project from Spinwatch. |
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This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch. |
Oliver Dowden was appointed deputy chief of staff to the UK prime minister David Cameron in 2012 to work under Ed Llewellyn. In October 2014 he was selected as the Conservative Party candidate in Hertsmere. [1]
In the 2015 general election, Dowden was elected with 59 per cent of the vote and a majority of 18,461.
Prior to this Dowden worked to link up Number 10 with the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ). This role has now been taken on by Adam Atashzai who is well regarded by George Osborne due to the success in his previous role at the Treasury brief in CCHQ. [2]
Dowden has been described as one of the most highly regarded figures in Downing Street, 'with an expertise in the attacking form of political communications that has led to comparisons with Alastair Campbell ',[3] former spindoctor to Labour PM Tony Blair.
Dowden is said to have vast experience in domestic policy reform, immigration, welfare, health and criminal justice. [4]
Background
Dowden studied law at Cambridge. In 2004 he joined the Conservative Research Department. He left the Tories in 2007 to work for the PR and lobbying company Hill & Knowlton but returned to the party to work alongside Andy Coulson in early 2009.[3]
Notes
- ↑ Peter Hoskin Oliver Dowden selected for Hertsmere Conservative Home, 8 October 2014, accessed 10 October 2014
- ↑ James Forsyth The Downing Street reshuffle The Spectator, 4 September 2012, accessed 27 February 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jane Merrick, 'Olive' in charge after No 10 shake-up, The Independent, 14 October 2012 , accessed 17 September 2014,
- ↑ Jyoti Rambhai Prime Minister's Deputy Chief of Staff selected as Conservative candidate for Hertsmere Watford Observer, 8 October 2014, accessed 30 October 2014
