In the strange and often surreal world of Westminster, there are few stories more perplexing than the re-emergence of Munira Mirza—the former Revolutionary Communist Party member turned Downing Street insider—now training Conservative MPs under the guise of her latest think tank, Civic Future.
For a figure whose past is riddled with controversy, betrayal, and unanswered questions, her new position at the heart of Conservative Party development is nothing short of astonishing.
From Revolutionary Leftist to Conservative Insider
Mirza’s political journey is the kind of dramatic transformation that would make even the most hardened cynics raise an eyebrow. Her former association with radical left-wing politics as part of the Revolutionary Communist Party is well-documented. Yet, somehow, she saw the light, changed allegiances, and manoeuvred herself into Boris Johnson’s inner circle during his time as Prime Minister, where she served as one of his most trusted advisers.
But let us not forget how that loyalty ended. When Boris stood in Parliament and boldly held Keir Starmer to account for the Crown Prosecution Service’s failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile during Starmer’s tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, Mirza was among the first to turn on him. Her resignation, framed as an act of principle, was widely seen as the opening salvo in the campaign to unseat our democratically elected Prime Minister.
It wasn’t just her resignation that raised eyebrows; it was the manner of her departure. Defending Starmer—of all people—while launching a scathing attack on the leader she was supposed to support left many Conservatives feeling betrayed.
Dougie Smith: The Man in the Shadows
And then there’s the other half of this power couple: Dougie Smith, Mirza’s husband. For those attuned to the inner workings of Conservative Party politics—or readers of Nadine Dorries’ The Plot—Dougie Smith is a name synonymous with shadowy influence in the Conservative Party. Over the years, he has been accused of quietly pulling strings behind the scenes at CCHQ and Downing Street, with his decades-long presence raising questions and sparking controversy.
Smith’s position has been described as something of a mystery. He reportedly still holds a CCHQ contract with no clear job description, no confidentiality clauses, and a salary that raises eyebrows among party members—over £100,000, according to some reports. Last year the Conservative Post asked pointed questions about his role, including allegations of involvement in leadership campaigns and candidate selections. Thus far, the answers have been non-existent.
So, when Mirza and her husband, Dougie Smith are seen resurfacing in influential positions, Conservative Party members have every right to ask: what exactly is their agenda?
Civic Future: A Think Tank for Credibility?
Mirza’s latest venture, Civic Future, positions itself as a think tank offering “over four decades of combined experience in Whitehall, Westminster, campaigning, grassroots organising, political consultancy, and academia.” On paper, it sounds credible enough. But for those familiar with her history, this seems more like an attempt to rebrand and claw back influence in the Conservative Party.
Recent reports, supported by text messages reviewed by the Conservative Post, reveal that Munira Mirza is actively involved in training MPs / future Conservative Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs), alongside Pamela Dow, the COO of her organisation, Civic Future. It has also been reported that Lord Agnew, a close ally of Michael Gove, is assisting with these training sessions.
PPSs play a crucial role in Parliament, acting as a bridge between ministers and backbench MPs. They support ministers by communicating the views of MPs to the government and vice versa (or the shadow government, as the case may be). Often considered a stepping stone to ministerial positions, the PPS role offers MPs valuable experience in the workings of government while allowing them to demonstrate their loyalty to the party.
For many party members who already feel alienated by the Westminster bubble, the prospect of someone like Mirza shaping the next generation of Conservative leadership is deeply unsettling and raises significant concerns.
Why Does This Matter?
The Conservative Party is built on the hard work and dedication of its grassroots members—ordinary people who pound the pavements, knock on doors, and fight for the values they hold dear. These members deserve transparency, fairness, and a leadership that reflects their commitment.
Instead, they see figures like Mirza, with her checkered past, and Smith, with his questionable role in CCHQ, wielding influence without accountability. For many, this feels like a betrayal of the party’s democratic principles.
When Boris Johnson was ousted, questions were raised about the role Mirza and Smith played in that process. Allegations of backroom deals and shadowy manoeuvring remain unresolved. And now, just months later, Mirza is back in the fold, training the very MPs who are supposed to represent the Conservative grassroots and who will become the Conservative leaders of tomorrow.
The Questions That Demand Answers
Conservative members are not unreasonable. They simply want answers to the following:
- Why is Munira Mirza, someone with a history of radical left-wing politics, now training Conservative PPSs?
- Does her husband, Dougie Smith continue to operate in any capacity at or for CCHQ?
- Why does Dougie Smith allegedly have the only contract of any employee at CCHQ (and previously at 10 Downing Street) which has / had zero conditions of service or job description and which has no confidentiality clauses?
- Why does he not appear on any staff list at CCHQ (and previously at 10 Downing Street) and why is his role kept secret?
- Is it true that every Party Treasurer who has enquired as to why members’ subs are paying a salary (now reportedly at over £100k) of a CCHQ employee who appears to have no role, allegedly been told in the past by Michael Gove and/or Oliver Dowden to keep paying the money and to ask no questions?
- Does Dougie Smith have anything to do with his wife’s new venture, Civic Future?
These are not idle questions. They go to the very heart of what the Conservative Party stands for.
A Party at a Crossroads
The Conservative Party faces a critical moment and allowing figures like Mirza and Smith to operate unchecked risks alienating the very people who are the backbone of the Conservative movement.
If the party is to regain the trust of its members and the public, it must demand transparency from those who hold influence within its ranks. Mirza and Smith owe the party answers. Until they provide them, their presence will remain a stain on the Conservative Party’s credibility.
For a party that prides itself on tradition, democracy, and accountability, this is a test of whether those principles still hold true. The grassroots deserve better.
Claire Bullivant
I’m informed the Conservative Party does not have shadow Conservative Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) roles. Can that be substantiated?
Smith and Gove need expelling from the Conservative Party if it is to have any chanceof re election.