The Rt Hon George Osborne, MP, Politics, Debrett's 500 2016, People of Influence

The Rt Hon George Osborne, MP

Chancellor of the Exchequer

George Osborne has been responsible for delivering the government’s unpopular programme of cuts to reduce the UK deficit since he took up the post of chancellor in 2010. Fortunately for Osborne, he apparently ‘doesn’t give a damn about being liked’, and while many might argue with his methods, few can dispute their efficacy, for now at least: new fears of another economic crisis may present Osborne with his most significant challenge since the Conservatives’ surprise victory at the 2015 general election. Cameron’s closest friend in the cabinet, Osborne shares his privileged background: he was educated at St Paul’s and a member of the notorious Bullingdon Club at Oxford. He became the youngest conservative MP in the House of Commons when he was elected, at the age of 30, in 2001.