The Conservative Party’s parliamentary candidate for the Bicester and Woodstock seat has been named as a top political influencer in London.

Rupert Harrison, the Conservatives’ candidate for the newly created Bicester and Woodstock constituency, has been named in Politico’s top 40 influencers in politics, public policy and advocacy in London.

The politics website, which is frequently read by MPs in Westminster, named Mr Harrison as the 12th most influential figure in London in terms of setting the agenda in politics.

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Oxford Mail: George OsborneGeorge Osborne (Image: PA)

Three teams of experts at Politico choose the influencers based on who they think is "really making things happen behind the scenes while the political leaders duke it out".

Mr Harrison was chosen by members of the Conservative Party’s Oxfordshire Association on June 21 to contest the seat at the next general election.

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The former head boy of Eton was known as the “real chancellor” during his time working for the former chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne as his chief of staff between 2010 and 2015.

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Oxford Mail: Rupert HarrisonRupert Harrison (Image: Rupert Harrison)

Reacting to featuring on the list, Mr Harrison told the Oxford Mail: “Of all the things I’ve done in government and politics I feel by far the most passionately about the chance to represent Bicester and Woodstock.

“I hope I can use my experience in government and business to help deliver for our area fighting to protect our beautiful countryside and support the local services we rely on.”

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The Oxfordshire Liberal Democrat’s selection process for their candidate is currently underway.

The Labour Party and Green Party were approached for comment about their selection process.

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Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times. 

He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.

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