A senior civil servant in the 1980s, Andrew Lansley became an active Tory after a spell as private secretary to Norman Tebbit, and in 1990 was appointed head of the Conservative Research Department. He was one of the architects of the Conservatives surprise victory in 1992 and although he could not save the partys fortunes in 1997, he did secure himself the safe seat of South Cambridgeshire. His skill in the Commons and his grasp of detail led to a central role in formulation of policy and he was rapidly promoted to join the shadow cabinet in 1999.

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