Conservative Party chooses former Eton head boy as candidate

Due to boundary changes, Banbury MP Victoria Prentis had to decide whether she was going to stand in the Banbury constituency or the new Bicester and Woodstock seat, and she opted for the former.

Last night, the Conservative Party’s Oxfordshire Association chose Rupert Harrison as their candidate for the new seat.

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Mr Harrison was elected as their candidate by Conservative Party members last night (Image: Liam Walker)

Speaking after his selection by members, Mr Harrison said: “I’m incredibly honoured and delighted that local residents have put their trust in me.

“I’m already working with local MPs and councillors to deliver on protecting our beautiful countryside and addressing local concerns such as the London Road crossing in Bicester, access to healthcare and a transport system that works for local people."

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Mr Harrison previously worked for the former chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne as chief of staff between 2010 and 2015 and he served as chair of the UK’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Mr Harrison was previously an advisor to George Osborne (Image: PA)

During Mr Harrison’s time advising Mr Osborne, in government circles he was known as the “real chancellor” given his role formulating policy and his ability to brief various ministers and journalists on the various schemes being introduced by the Treasury.

Most recently, Mr Harrison has worked for the investment firm BlackRock, where he is a portfolio manager, and he was hired as an economic advisor to the chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt in 2022.

The former leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian Hudspeth, said: “Rupert is a fantastic local campaigner.

“I’ve worked with Rupert over the last few months and know he will be a great champion for local people across this new constituency.”

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Mr Harrison lives with his wife and young family in Oxfordshire and graduated from Magdalen College with first class honours in PPE.

It is understood that Mr Harrison has similar views as Mr Osborne about Brexit and believes that it has damaged the UK economy.

Before studying at Oxford, Mr Harrison won a scholarship to Eton and was their head boy.

In the 2015 Dissolution Honours Lists, Mr Harrison was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Mr Harrison also has a PhD degree in economics from University College London.

An Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats spokesman said: "Although the new boundaries have not yet been confirmed, our selection process is underway.

"Liberal Democrats won the popular vote across the new Bicester and Woodstock constituency in the most recent set of local elections - and with not a single Labour councillor in the constituency, we are ready to champion the interests of local people who are suffering under the policies of the Tories. 

"Rocketing mortgage rates, the collapse of local health services and rampant inflation all result from policies the Tory candidate personally supervised, and we relish the very clear choice we will be putting to the electorate."

The Green Party has been approached for comment.