As well as being just 34, 24 years her husband’s junior, Johnson’s professional life and career are closely intertwined with his, and she is one of the most outspoken political other halves Downing Street has seen. Some of the hostile media coverage he faced was undoubtedly fueled by Tory tribalism, in some cases even apparent misogyny. But those who know Johnson agree that she is ambitious, enjoys a public profile and is not likely to disappear into obscure but worthy good works. While some plans may have to wait, partly because she has two young children, there are already ideas and she remains officially in her position as head of communications for the Aspinall Foundation, although her actual duties at the wildlife charity remain unclear. A friend of Johnson’s suggested she envision a role as a form of social media influencer, posting photos on her private Instagram account using her highly visible interest in fashion and luxury interior design. Whatever Johnson does will be closely watched, which isn’t always likely to make life any easier, either for her or whoever might give her a job. A keen environmentalist, she worked in communications for marine conservation group Oceana before joining the Aspinall Foundation, which has a board including Ben Goldsmith, brother of Zac Goldsmith, a minister under Boris Johnson and a close friend of his and Carrie’s. . When Boris Johnson spent his last weekend in Downing Street, Carrie spent a day with the couple’s eldest child, Wilfred, at the charity’s Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent. Since Johnson took the job, the Aspinall Foundation has faced significant scrutiny of its work and is being investigated by the Charity Commission over its finances, which could give other potential employers pause for thought. A former Conservative councilor and press officer, the then Carrie Simmonds met Johnson through her work. He rose to become the party’s communications chief, but left the role after less than a year amid circumstances that remain unclear. Once in No 10, her interest in and knowledge of the workings of government, plus the fact that several key advisers were close friends, meant that Carrie Johnson was always going to be a more central and public figure than Downing’s usual wife Street. He was never a neutral force in No 10 and was closely involved in the November 2020 departures of Dominic Cummings and Lee Kane, the prime minister’s chief aide and chief communications officer. With her husband freed from the prime ministerial bond of not being able to hold second jobs, his expected income from newspaper columns, corporate speaking engagements and a possible memoir means the couple will not have to rely on their earnings. The couple are reportedly looking to buy a house in Herne Hill, south London, for around £3.5million. Another friend said that Carrie Johnson was used to a lifestyle of weekend getaways and luxury vacations abroad: “She’s going to expect him to keep it the lifestyle she’s used to.”
