Peter Ainsworth was promoted in William Hague's first reshuffle to be shadow spokesman on Culture, Media and Sport.

He took over the role from Francis Maude and shadows Chris Smith.

The promotion was unexpected, as he is little-heard and little-known. He was formerly deputy chief opposition whip and did not speak in the Chamber.

He was a Tory at Oxford (and president of the university's Monday Club) and then became an investment analyst with a stockbroker and a banker with Warburgs.

A leading figure in the Bow Group and served on Wandsworth Council, regarded as a Tory flagship.

In 1992 he won Sir Geoffrey Howe's safe seat of Surrey East at first attempt. It is said his salary dropped by over two thirds when he became an MP.

Became PPS to Jonathan Aitken and Virginia Bottomley before becoming a government whip.