At least according to today’s Telegraph:
The key man in Nick Clegg’s inner circle is Danny Alexander, who was elected to Parliament with him in 2005. Mr Alexander, 35, is a former PR executive who is now Mr Clegg’s chief of staff and will be responsible for drawing up the party’s election manifesto. Married with one daughter, his hobbies include fishing and hill-walking.
Although Mr Clegg is still putting the finishing touches to his top team, other key figures will include Polly MacKenzie, his former home affairs policy adviser and Euan Roddin, Sir Menzies Campbell’s former speech writer. They will be responsible for writing Mr Clegg’s speeches and offering policy advice.
Jonny Oates, the former lobbyist and South African political adviser, will be the director of strategy and will play a key role in differentiating Mr Clegg from David Cameron, the Conservative leader. Mr Clegg’s spin doctor is Hannah Gardiner, who joined the Liberal Democrats as head of media earlier this year after representing the Association of Chief Police Officers. She previously worked at the Home Office and Prison Service. Alison Suttie will be his gatekeeper as head of his private office. She is a long-standing Lib Dem staff member.
Interesting to note the continuity with existing party/leader’s office staff – seemingly no clear-out, with Nick bringing in a whole new team. Instead, he appears to be putting together a team that’s closely integrated with the rest of the party.
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Keeping Jonny, Hannah and Alison is VERY good news. They are three of the most able people around.
I don’t know Jon or Hanna, but Euan and Alison are absolutely first rate. Really good news.
Not quite sure why Danny Alexander’s marital status or hobbies are particularly relevant. I have blogged on the matter.
All of the appointments (or reappointments) are sensible – but what is missing is what was missing from Nick’s campaign. A heavyweight strategist, someone instinctively close to Nick’s own world view who can provide day to day support and advice on driection, policy and message.
“A heavyweight strategist, someone instinctively close to Nick’s own world view who can provide day to day support and advice”
That sSounds like Chris Huhne to me!