Notting Hill set

The term Notting Hill set refers to an informal group of young figures in prominent leadership positions in the Conservative Party, or close advisory positions around the current party leader and Prime Minister, David Cameron.

The term was coined by Derek Conway in 2004, before Cameron became leader. It was intended to be pejorative, as Conway was one of the 'bed-blockers' preventing the party modernising. The term is in reference to all of them having lived in Notting Hill, in west London, although the group's two leading players, Cameron and George Osborne, no longer live in Notting Hill.

The set is often seen as symbolic of the wing of the party that currently dominates the leadership. It combines traditional centre-right economic views with socially liberal and environmentally friendly stances on other issues. The group refer to themselves as the "Smith Square set" and at the time of the 1992 general election, were often referred to as the "Brat Pack".

The following have been reported to be its members:

• David Cameron, Prime Minister
• George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Michael Gove, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
• Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries
• Nicholas Boles, Minister of State for Skills and Equalities
• Steve Hilton, Director of Strategy at Conservative Campaign Headquarters
• Rachel Whetstone, Hilton's wife and head of Google's Europe division
• Edward Llewellyn, Downing Street Chief of Staff
• Catherine Fall, Cameron's Deputy Chief of Staff

See also

• Chipping Norton set