Danny Kruger
Daniel Kruger | |
|---|---|
| Born | Daniel Rayne Kruger October 23, 1974 Westminster, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, policy adviser, author |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for East Wiltshire; Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions |
| Notable work | On Fraternity (2007), Covenant (2023) |
Daniel Rayne Kruger (born 23 October 1974) is a British politician affiliated with the Conservative Party, representing East Wiltshire—previously known as Devizes—as an MP since 2019. In November 2024, he was named Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Kruger is the son of South African-born writer and property developer Rayne Kruger and restaurateur and television personality Prue Leith. His education includes attendance at Eton College and history studies at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford. Before entering politics, he held a position at the centre-right think tank, the Centre for Policy Studies, and later served as a policy adviser for the Conservative Party.
In 2006, Kruger took on the role of chief speechwriter for then Opposition Leader David Cameron. He departed in 2008 to dedicate himself to Only Connect, a charity focused on preventing youth crime which he helped establish. His charitable contributions earned him an MBE in 2017. Additionally, Kruger acted as political secretary to Prime Minister Boris Johnson from August until December 2019.
Early life and career
Born on 23 October 1974 in Westminster, Daniel Kruger is the offspring of South African parents: writer and property developer Rayne Kruger and TV presenter and restaurateur Prue Leith. He received private education at Eton College and pursued history at the University of Edinburgh, where he also served as editor of the magazine Intercourse. He completed his doctoral studies in history at the University of Oxford in 2000.
In 2001, Kruger became the director of research at the centre-right think tank, the Centre for Policy Studies. Between 2003 and 2005, he worked within the Conservative Party's Policy Unit as an adviser, contributing to leader Iain Duncan Smith's speech at the 2003 party conference. In 2005, he was chief leader writer for The Daily Telegraph.
Kruger was selected as the Conservative candidate for Sedgefield during the 2005 general election but withdrew following controversy surrounding remarks about "creative destruction" in public services. He assumed the role of chief speechwriter to Conservative leader David Cameron in 2006, crafting the influential "hug-a-hoodie" speech that advocated for compassionate conservatism. He maintained that this approach did not equate to being "soft on crime".
In 2006, Kruger co-founded Only Connect, a London-based charity aimed at preventing youth crime, and left his post with Cameron in 2008 to commit full-time to this initiative. Only Connect was later incorporated into Catch22 in 2015 but retained operational independence. He also established West London Zone, an organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth. For his charitable efforts, Kruger was honoured with an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2017. He has publicly advocated for cannabis legalization.
A supporter of Brexit, Kruger held a senior fellowship at the Legatum Institute before serving as an adviser at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In August 2019, he was appointed political secretary to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Parliamentary career
On 9 November 2019, Kruger was chosen as the Conservative candidate for the secure parliamentary seat of Devizes, following Claire Perry O'Neill's decision to step down in order to lead the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference. He secured election as MP in the 2019 general election, obtaining 63.1% of the vote and achieving a majority of 23,993 votes over Liberal Democrat Jo Waltham. Subsequently, Benjamin Gascoigne, Baron Gascoigne, took over from him as political secretary to the Prime Minister. Kruger delivered his inaugural speech on 29 January 2020, during which he called for a revival of Christian principles.
In May 2020, Kruger expressed public support for Dominic Cummings amid controversy surrounding a lockdown breach, referring to Cummings and Mary Wakefield as "old friends." A few months later, in August 2020, he issued an apology after being photographed without a face mask on public transportation and simultaneously criticized the individual who took the photo; in interviews, he has voiced opposition to what he described as "absurd masks."
Kruger was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in September 2021, working under Secretary Michael Gove. In June 2022, during a Conservative Party confidence vote, he backed Boris Johnson and highlighted the importance of forgiving minor personal indiscretions. When debates arose concerning abortion rights following the US Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, Kruger argued that women do not possess an absolute right to bodily autonomy when another life is involved.
Amid the government turmoil over Johnson’s leadership on 6 July 2022, Kruger resigned from his PPS role and later threw his support behind Suella Braverman in the Conservative leadership race.
At the National Conservatism Conference held in May 2023, Kruger emphasized that a stable marriage between men and women is essential for societal success and should be encouraged through incentives. He also criticized what he termed "the radicalisation of a generation," attributing it to ideologies blending Marxism with narcissism. The Prime Minister’s office under Rishi Sunak publicly distanced itself from these comments. Additionally, Kruger defended fellow MP Miriam Cates’ use of the phrase "cultural Marxism."
In October 2023, on Sky News, Kruger asserted that numerous asylum seekers in the UK falsely claimed homosexuality to enhance their residency prospects. The following month, speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference, he stated: "We can tolerate eccentric ideologues. What we can't tolerate is large numbers of people who hate the country that they live in."
During the 2024 general election, Kruger was elected as MP for East Wiltshire with 35.7% of votes and a majority margin of 4,716.
Kruger opposed Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill and participated as a member of its committee. On 17 March 2025, he became a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, succeeding Ben Obese-Jecty.
Political philosophy
Kruger identifies his political stance as communitarianism, drawing inspiration from intellectuals like Alasdair MacIntyre, John Gray, Phillip Blond, Roger Scruton, and Charles Murray. In his 2023 publication Covenant, he advocates replacing the traditional liberal social contract framework with a “covenant” founded on principles of duty, virtue, and reciprocal reliance.
He delineates two contrasting paradigms: The Order, which is rooted in heritage, communal ties, hierarchy, and enduring truths; and The Idea, a contemporary doctrine emphasizing individual self-determination that he argues diminishes social cohesion. Kruger offers a critical perspective on progressive ideologies, the sexual revolution, and identity politics, viewing them as threats to the integrity of family and community structures.
Grounded in classical and Christian thought, Kruger asserts that modern liberalism’s emphasis on personal freedom and market dynamics weakens collective obligations. He champions political frameworks that uphold family units, local communities, and national identity as essential pillars of society.
His policy proposals are designed to reinforce these covenantal bonds by encouraging marriage and family stability, decentralizing governmental services, and fostering local governance autonomy. Additionally, he endorses an economic model that regards work as a vocation intimately connected to place and community, supported by regional financial institutions and apprenticeship programs.
Kruger has publicly advocated for the decriminalization of psilocybin.
Personal life
Kruger is married to Emma, a former educator whose influence was pivotal in his conversion to evangelical Christianity. Together they have three children and established the charity Only Connect, which addresses issues related to social justice and reform within the criminal justice system.
In March 2021, Kruger received a £120 fine after his puppy triggered a disturbance involving approximately 200 deer in Richmond Park, London. He issued an apology and pledged greater caution moving forward.
Bibliography
- On Fraternity (Civitas, 2007) – examines political topics relevant to the early 21st century.
- Covenant: The New Politics of Home, Neighbourhood and Nation (Forum Press, 2023) – presents Kruger's comprehensive political philosophy.