EXCL George Osborne’s son campaigned for Sir Vince Cable in the general election

Agnes Chambre

Former Chancellor George Osborne's son helped Sir Vince Cable beat the Conservatives to be re-elected to Parliament, PoliticsHome can reveal.



Sixteen-year-old Luke Osborne even went out door-knocking on election day in a bid to drum up support for the Lib Dem veteran.

His efforts were rewarded when Sir Vince - who is set to become the new Lib Dem leader - defeated Tory Tania Mathias to become MP for Twickenham for the second time.

Sir Vince revealed the surprise support for his campaign at a Lib Dem event in London on 20 June.

He told the 200-strong crowd that he had received a text from someone called George during the campaign saying his son would be interested in helping him canvass in Twickenham.

When he rang the number back, he was stunned to learn that it was his former coalition Cabinet colleague, who quit as a Conservative MP at the election.

At a hustings event organised by the Evening Standard - which Mr Osborne now edits - some days later, the ex-Chancellor introduced Sir Vince to his son.

Sir Vince told PoliticsHome: “He did come and help us once or twice and it was a nice thing. It reflects very well on George Osborne that he saw the whole thing in good spirits.

“I don’t see it in tribal political terms.”

A spokesman for Sir Vince said Mr Osborne’s support was very much appreciated.

“He came down on election day and did some knocking up. I had a quick chat with him and he seemed like a nice chap.”

AUSTIN POWERS

Mr Osborne has caused anger among Tory MPs for a series of Evening Standard front pages criticising Theresa May since he became editor.

Most recently, he photoshopped Mrs May and DUP leader Arlene Foster onto a picture of Dr Evil and Mini Me from the hit film Austin Powers.

He has also penned a series of blistering columns criticising the Prime Minister over her policies on immigration, as well as the Tories' election campaign.

Mr Osborne - who was sacked by Mrs May in one of her first acts after entering Downing Street - also described her as a "dead woman walking" in the aftermath of the election.