Daniel Craig's stepbrother appointed to role with government opposition

James Bond actor Daniel Craig’s stepbrother has been given a major role by David Cameron devising policies aimed at ousting Labour from power.

Theology lecturer Phillip Blond’s celebrity link is revealed today as he defends the controversial views that have led some to call him the Conservative leader’s ‘Red Tory philosopher king’.

Revealing his forthright opinions in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Mr Blond says:
* Slashing the power of the State and private monopolies is the only way to help the poor.
* Abortions should be banned except for rape victims, incest and teenage girls.
* Gay adoptions are not good for children.

His father, painter and art gallery owner Max, is married to Daniel Craig’s mother Olivia.

On paper, trendy philosopher Mr Blond and his action man actor relative Mr Craig could not be more unalike. However, long before they were linked by marriage – and aside from the uncanny closeness between Mr Blond’s real name and that of Mr Craig’s best-known screen persona – they lived almost parallel lives growing up in Liverpool in the Seventies.

Mr Blond was born on March 1, 1966, two years and a day before Mr Craig. Both failed their 11-plus and went to secondary modern schools. Both had artistic flair in their genes. Olivia loved the theatre and was the driving force in her son’s acting career. Mr Blond’s father Max was a respected artist.

Mr Craig’s parents split up when he was four; Mr Blond’s parents’ marriage ended when he was a teenager. His father married Mr Craig’s mother 15 years ago.

Mr Blond, 43, said yesterday: ‘I am a huge fan of Daniel. He is certainly the best Bond since Sean Connery. We have met a few times. He is a great bloke, younger than me and much more handsome.’

Mr Craig’s father Tim was a merchant seamen turned steel erector and pub landlord. His marriage to Olivia ended in 1972. Mr Blond’s mother Gabrielle now lives in Italy.

There the similarities end. Mr Blond studied at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, before becoming a theology lecturer at Cumbria University. At college, he was said to have described himself as a ‘Catholic socialist’ but he was wooed by Mr Cameron after expressing his admiration.

Mr Cameron was guest of honour in January when he launched a new think-tank, Progressive Conservatism.

Mr Blond yesterday defended his controversial views. He said: ‘Abortion is very problematic. It involves huge moral and social issues and yet it has become the norm. It is so extreme it should only be used in extreme cases. We should give support to women who have children and create a society where women do not feel the necessity to have an abortion.’

He also criticised gay adoption, adding: ‘From a personal perspective, I believe a child should have a mother and a father. What worries me about gay adoption is that children are being denied a loving relationship with a female and a male. It is difficult to see how gay adoption can provide that. I have gay friends who agree with me.’

And he explained why he supports Mr Cameron. He said: ‘I’m a little bit Red and a little bit Tory. That is the best way to help the poor.

‘Margaret Thatcher wanted to create proper Victorian values but she also created the “loadsamoney” generation that destroyed those values in working-class life.

‘Labour policies make individuals the slaves of the State. We have to liberate people and at the same time recreate the sense of community.’

Mr Blond has regular talks with Mr Cameron and his main policy adviser, Steve Hilton. He added: ‘I talk to David quite often, though he doesn’t always agree with me.

‘What I like about him is that he is very clever and open to new ideas – a great asset in a future leader. He is genuinely trying to rethink Conservatism.’

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