Jonathan Caine, Baron Caine
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
TBC
1966 (age 57–58)
Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Education and career[edit]
Caine 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, 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[edit]
Caine 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.