The Deputy Prime Minister discusses Rishi Sunak’s free-market stance, net zero realism and the threat posed by Beijing
Few politicians know Rishi Sunak like Oliver Dowden.
Both men became Conservative MPs in 2015, with Mr Dowden, a Downing Street insider during the Cameron years, helping Mr Sunak step into politics. Both men endorsed Boris Johnson for the Tory leadership, rose to the Cabinet under him, then resigned from his government within weeks of each other, triggering his political demise.
And now, with Mr Sunak eventually succeeding the ousted Mr Johnson, both men are at the top, with Mr Dowden the Deputy Prime Minister at his political friend’s right-hand side.
Which makes his response all the more intriguing when asked to name something about the current Prime Minister that might surprise the public.