Caine grew up in
Leeds in the 1970s, and was educated at Templenewsam Halton Primary and Halton Middle School, then
Temple Moor High School. He studied history at the
University of Leicester, where his specialism was the Conservative Party 1902-1940 which included the Home Rule Crisis 1912-14 and the
Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921. In 2014, Caine worked as special adviser to
Theresa Villiers, being described in the press as her "right-hand man". Jonathan Caine has been described as "one of the most quietly brilliant Westminster strategists, whose knowledge of Northern Ireland is formidable." In his memoir,
For The Record, former Prime Minister David Cameron is quoted in
The Yorkshire Post as crediting Caine with being "an authority in his field and a tireless behind-the-scenes presence. He was – and remains – passionate about securing peace... in Northern Ireland, and maintaining our United Kingdom." He was nominated for a
life peerage as part of
David Cameron's
Resignation Honours list and was created
Baron Caine, of
Temple Newsam in the
City of Leeds, on 2 September 2016. On 5 November 2021, Caine was appointed as a
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the
Northern Ireland Office. On 24 November 2022, he was appointed as a whip (
Lord-in-waiting) in addition to his role the NIO. == Personal life ==