Notting Hill set


The term Notting Hill set refers to an informal group of young figures who were in prominent leadership positions in the Conservative Party, or close advisory positions around the former party leader and Prime Minister, David Cameron. Several of the group studied at Oxford University.
The term was coined by Derek Conway in July 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 dominated the leadership during Cameron's time as leader of the Conservative Party. 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".

Members

The following have been reported to be its members:
Following the resignation of David Cameron, the remaining nine members were fully removed from power by Theresa May, following her victory in the leadership election of June 2016, and the formation of the May Ministry in July 2016. However, following the general election of 2017, Gove made a return to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.