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Jonathan Michael Caine, Baron Caine (born 1966, Leeds) is a British political aide (or "SPAD") who has served five Secretaries of State.
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Education and career
Caine grew up in working-class Leeds in the 1970s, and was educated at Halton Primary and Middle School, then Temple Moor High School. He became the first member of his family to attend university, studying history and the University of Leicester, where his specialism was the Home Rule Crisis and the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
He joined the Conservative Research Department in 1987, working in the office next to David Cameron's. He joined the party's Northern Ireland desk in 1988, and by 1991 was a special adviser at the Northern Ireland Office until 1995 - rejoining it in 2010.
In 2008, Caine stated that he was a Director at Bell Pottinger Public Affairs.
In 2014, Caine worked as special adviser to Theresa Villiers, being described in the press as her "right-hand man". Caine had also worked for Owen Paterson, and was described by him as "one of the foremost experts on Northern Ireland". However, a senior member of the SDLP noted that, although he understood Unionism in Ireland, he had no real understanding of Irish republicanism, and no sympathy for it.
As of 2016, Caine had worked for Tom King, Peter Brooke, Patrick Mayhew, Owen Paterson, Theresa Villiers and James Brokenshire.
He was nominated for a life peerage as part of David Cameron's Resignation Honours list and was created Baron Caine, of Temple Newsam in the City of Leeds, on 2 September 2016.
Personal life
Caine supports Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos, and enjoys listening to Led Zeppelin. He is a longstanding friend of David Trimble.