Dr James Orr, a Christian and associate professor of philosophy of religion at the University of Cambridge, has been appointed head of policy for Reform UK.
He was named on Tuesday as one of those on Reform’s top team, as party leader Nigel Farage unveiled members of his “shadow cabinet”.
In a post on X following the announcement, Dr Orr said: “We’re going to build the best policy operation in British politics. And we will give our Shadow Cabinet all the support they need to govern. Britain needs new ideas. Britain needs Reform.”
The line-up also includes another practising Christian, Danny Kruger, a former Conservative MP who defected to Reform UK last year. He will serve as head of PrepGov, preparing for government.
Others appointed include former Conservative Secretaries of State Robert Jenrick as “Chancellor-in-waiting” and Suella Braverman as shadow education secretary.
In a statement to The Spectator, Dr Orr said: “As Senior Adviser to Nigel Farage, I have seen up close just how determined he and Reform are to fix broken Britain. In a few short months, Zia Yusuf has transformed our party’s policy capacity and I am delighted to be succeeding him as Head of Policy.
“Working alongside Danny Kruger in his role as Head of PrepGov, I will help to build the most serious policy operation in British politics – and give our Shadow Cabinet the support they will need to govern. Britain needs new ideas. Britain needs Reform.”
Dr Orr is married to the Rev Helen Orr, a priest in the diocese of Ely.
