After what he describes as an “interesting 15-year sabbatical” in the political bear pit of Westminster, last year the Rt Hon David Gauke returned to Macfarlanes, the City law firm where he had worked in financial services before being elected as an MP in 2005.

In the intervening period, while serving as the MP for the leafy constituency of South West Hertfordshire, he worked as a Treasury minister for seven years, as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and as Lord Chancellor.