Thomas Carew, The Earl of Devon

The Right Honourable The Earl of Devon KG KT KP GCB OM GCVO ONZ PC BA
Official Government Portrait
Lord High Steward of Great Britain
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 May 2024 (331 days)
Monarch	Charles III George VII
Private Secretary to the Sovereign First Clerk of the Green Cloth
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 March 2024 (1 year, 53 days)
Monarch	Charles III George VII
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 January 2025 (108 days)
President of the Royal Automobile Club
Incumbent
Assumed office 30 May 2024 (328 days)
Preceded by	Position created
Chairman of the National Gallery
Incumbent
Assumed office 17 May 2024 (341 days)
Preceded by	Position created
Leader of the Unionist Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 March 2025 (27 days)
Preceded by	The Countess of Strathmore
Previous Positions
Royal Household Lord High Steward of Great Britain Incumbent Assumed office 27 May 2024 (331 days) Monarch Charles III George VII Lord Chamberlain of Great Britain In office 1 March 2024 – 27 May 2024 (88 days) Monarch Charles III Preceded by The Baron Stafford Succeeded by The Duke of Westminster Private Secretary to the Sovereign Incumbent Assumed office 1 March 2024 (1 year, 53 days) Monarch Charles III George VII Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales In office 4 January 2024 – 1 March 2024 (58 days) Monarch Edward IX Preceded by The Duke of Warwick Succeeded by The Baron Scarborough Financial Secretary to the Prince of Wales In office 15 November 2023 – 4 January 2024 (51 days) Monarch Edward IX Member of the Prince of Wales' Transition & Coronation Committee In office 28 October 2024 – 1 January 2025 (66 days) Monarch Charles III
Government Prime Minister First Lord of the Treasury In office 6 December 2024 – 6 January 2025 (32 days) Deputy The Baron Calder & Wilton Preceded by The Duke of Somerset Succeeded by The Earl of Durham In office 27 August 2024 – 8 October 2024 (43 days) Deputy The Baron St Brides Preceded by The Duke of Warwick Succeeded by The Baron Calder In office 5 March 2024 – 1 July 2024 (119 days) Deputy The Countess of Argyll Owain Carew-Grey The Baroness Wilton Preceded by The 2nd Viscount Douglas Succeeded by The Baroness Wilton Deputy Prime Minister In office 13 November 2024 – 5 December 2024 (23 days) Prime Minister The Duke of Somerset Preceded by The Baron St Brides Succeeded by The Baron Calder In office 10 January 2024 – 4 March 2024 (55 days) Prime Minister The 2nd Viscount Douglas Preceded by The 2nd Viscount Douglas Succeeded by The Countess of Argyll First Secretary of State In office 21 February 2025 – 20 March 2025 (28 days) Prime Minister The Countess of Strathmore Preceded by The Countess of Strathmore Succeeded by Sir Philip Wright Downing Street Chief of Staff In office 8 October 2024 – 13 November 2024 (37 days) Prime Minister The Baron Calder The Baron Huntingdon Preceded by The 2nd Viscount Douglas Succeeded by The Duke of Somerset Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office In office 1 July 2024 – 27 August 2024 (58 days) Prime Minister The Baroness Wilton The Duke of Warwick Preceded by The Earl of Beaufort Succeeded by The Baron Huntingdon Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs In office 10 January 2024 – 4 March 2024 (55 days) Prime Minister The 2nd Viscount Douglas Deputy The Earl of Beaufort Preceded by The Earl of Beaufort Succeeded by Owain Carew-Grey Secretary of State for the Home Office In office 2 August 2024 – 27 August 2024 (26 days) Prime Minister The Duke of Warwick Preceded by The Baron Huntingdon Succeeded by The Baron Scarborough In office 21 September 2023 – 9 January 2024 (111 days) Prime Minister The Earl of Stirling The 2nd Viscount Douglas Preceded by The Earl of Lothian Succeeded by The 2nd Duke of Edinburgh Leader of the House of Commons In office 1 July 2024 – 27 August 2024 (58 days) Prime Minister The Baroness Wilton The Duke of Warwick Secretary of State for Culture Incumbent Assumed office 21 February 2025 (61 days) Prime Minister The Countess of Strathmore The Viscount Kirkwall Deputy The Baron St Brides Preceded by The Baron St Brides In office 13 November 2024 – 6 January 2025 (55 days) Prime Minister The Duke of Somerset Himself Preceded by The Baron St Brides Succeeded by The Baron St Brides Chief Secretary to the Treasury In office 27 January 2025 – 21 February 2025 (26 days) Prime Minister The Earl of Durham Minister of State for Sport In office 2 June 2023 – 27 July 2023 (56 days) Prime Minister The Duchess of Edinburgh Preceded by Position created Succeeded by Position dissolved Special Adviser to the Prime Minister In office 6 January 2025 – 21 February 2025 (47 days) Prime Minister The Earl of Durham
Parliament Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal In office 5 January 2025 – 19 April 2025 (105 days) (37th-38th Sessions) Chairman of Ways and Means Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons In office 8 October 2024 – 13 November 2024 (37 days) (35th Session) Speaker Charles Wright Preceded by Frederick Wright Succeeded by Llywellyn Evans-Jones Father of the House of Commons In office 5 March 2024 – 5 January 2025 (307 days) Preceded by William Somerset Succeeded by Frederick Wright Member of Parliament for East Devon In office 20 September 2023 – 4 January 2025 (1 year, 194 days) (28th - 36th Sessions) Preceded by No Predecessor Succeeded by Josephine Carew Chair of the Commons Standards & Procedures Committee In office 10 October 2024 – 13 November 2024 (35 days) (35th Session) Speaker Charles Wright Chair of the Home and Public Administration Committee In office 12 May 2024 – 1 July 2024 (51 days) Speaker Owain Carew-Grey In office 10 January 2024 – 29 January 2024 (20 days) Speaker Llywellyn E.J. Lleyton
Political Offices Leader of the Unionist Party Incumbent Assumed office 27 March 2025 (27 days) Preceded by The Countess of Strathmore In office 1 May 2024 – 27 June 2024 (58 days) Preceded by Position created Succeeded by The Baroness Wilton Designate of the Heron Party In office 5 March 2024 – 1 May 2024 (58 days) Preceded by The 2nd Viscount Douglas Succeeded by The 2nd Viscount Douglas Chair of the Unionist Party In office 4 October 2024 – 27 March 2025 (175 days) Preceded by The Baron Calder Succeeded by Lady Hereford Member of the Unionist Party Frontbench Incumbent Assumed office 1 May 2024 (357 days)
Personal details
Born	Thomas Humphrey Christopher Eric Carew 18 May 2023 (1 year, 340 days)
Political party	Unionist Party
Other political affiliations	Heron Party (until 1 May 2024) British Constitutionalist Party (until 20 September 2023)
Spouse(s)	The Countess of Strathmore (m. 7 January 2024)
Children	Lord Sidmouth The Baron Calder
Residence	Knightstone Estate
Education	The King's School Eton College University of St Andrews
Signature
Nickname(s)	Tommy, The Old Man

Thomas Humphrey Christopher Eric Carew, The Earl of Devon KG KT KP GCB OM GCVO ONZ PC BA Econ (Hons), St. And (b. 18 May 2023) is a British statesman, writer, and Unionist politician, most well-known for his tenures as Prime Minister of Great Britain and as the long-standing Private Secretary to the Sovereign. Currently, he serves as a Members of the House of Lords, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and as Chair of the Unionist Party. He is also the Lord High Steward of Great Britain. Carew also serves as Chairman of the National Gallery, President of the Royal Automobile Club, and as Owner and Editor-in-Chief of The Times Media Group.

Rising to prominence with his establishment of the EoGB Racing League and with minor Ministerial positions in the Edinburgh Premiership, Carew ran for the 28th Session of Parliament in October 2023 as the Heron Party candidate for East Devon. He served as Secretary of State for the Home Office under both August Lleyton and William Somerset, for a lengthy tenure of 111 days, the second-most of any Home Secretary. Carew, in the Second Douglas Ministry was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, before he succeeded Somerset, The Viscount Douglas, as Leader of the Heron Party, and became the 28th Prime Minister of Great Britain on the 5 March 2024. He was also the first PM not to undergo the controversial Address-In-Reply, since its abolition during the previous Premiership. On the 22nd April the Coalition collapsed, resulting in Carew leading a minority Heron Government. Several days later on the 1st May, Carew made the difficult position to leave the Heron Party to establish the Unionist Party, alongside his wife and political rival, Josephine Carew-Grey. He was re-elected for a second term following the confirmation of a Unionist Majority at the May 2024 General Election, and Carew returned to Downing Street. He is the first Prime Minister to be in two different political parties during a tenure in the position. He resigned following the July 2024 General Election, having served 119 days (the second most of any elected PM).

Carew served two further tenures as Prime Minister: following his time as Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office under Lady Wilton and later, The Duke of Warwick, he became PM at the head of the National Government, following the August 2024 General Election. He would later, in December 2024, be appointed to replace the resigning Duke of Somerset. He also served in a variety of roles during this long period, such as another stint as Home Secretary, and as Secretary of State for Culture. Carew would resign from Government and from Parliament at the January 2025 General Election. It ended nine consecutive sessions of Carew as an MP, a record: he also served six sessions as Father of the House of Commons. He was the longest-serving Prime Minister of Charles III, with 189 days as PM, and the only MP to serve for the entirety of his reign.

Carew is the husband of politician and prominent stateswoman, Josephine Carew, The Countess of Strathmore: they married at St. Paul's Cathedral on the 7 January 2024. Together, they are the parents of Owain Carew, Lord Sidmouth (former Foreign Secretary and MP), and August Carew, The Viscount Clare (current Foreign Secretary, MP, and former Prime Minister). He is the Uncle of William Somerset, 2nd Duke of Cambridge and Tobias, Prince Royal.

The official seat of the Carew Family is the Knightstone Estate in Devon: the largest land-holdings in the Westcountry. It mainly consists of three manorhouses in and around the small town of Ottery St. Mary: The Chanters House, Knightstone Manor, and Escot. Millaton House in Bridestowe, Mamhead House on the banks of the River Exe, and numerous hotels and properties in East Devon are part of the estate, as well as several thousand acres of farms. Former holiday homes, procured by his wife, included Kylemore Castle in Ireland, and Powys Castle in Wales.

On the 6th of April 2024 he was elevated to the peerage as the Baron Knightstone, and was styled as Lord Knightstone. On the 23rd June he was elevated once more to Viscount Sidmouth, and, upon his retirement from political and Commons life in January 202t, he was made Earl of Devon. Officially, he is styled as such, or as Lord Devon. He is also known as Tommy. Other nicknames include "Tommy Lascelles", with regards to his role as Private Secretary to the Sovereign; "Dennis Thatcher" in relation to his position as the husband of The Baroness Wilton when she was Prime Minister, and "The Old Man".

Early Life (RP)

Carew joined the region late on the 18 May 2023.

Childhood and Education

Born in Devon, Carew recieved a traditional education, being taught at The King's School before being sent to study at Eton College in Windsor, as one of its noted alumni. He would send both his sons there: his eldest for the duration of his time in Secondary School, and just for sixth form regarding his younger son.

He recieved a Masters degree in history from Worcester College at the University of Oxford, becoming noted for his proficient writing ability and knowledge on trivial subjects.

A young Thomas Carew participating at Wimbledon on Centre Court.

Following a gap-year working as an Intern in the Civil Service in Whitehall, more specifically the Foreign Office, he returned to studies with a Masters Degree from the University of St. Andrew's in economics, with a minor in law.

Sporting Career

Furthermore, he was a proficient tennis player: as President of the Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club he became well known, and won several junior championships. He was also a noted and permanent member of the St. Andrews University equivalent. He played four tournaments at Wimbledon: the first as a 19 year-old where he reached the Second round and after a years-hiatus, three more: his best result was an unexpected run to the Quarter-finals. He was a two time Junior Champion at Queen's and at the Eastbourne Open, also winning the former twice as a professional player via a wildcard entry.

He is most well known for his guest appearances both as a commentator during the Wimbledon season, but also in the senior championship and in exhibition games. He presented the Women's Singles trophy on one occasion on behalf of His Majesty The King. He is a permanent member of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

Carew is a noted Badminton enthusiast, known for spending time playing the sport. He has also been known to play golf relatively proficiently.

Early Political Career (June 2023 - March 2024)

Premiership of the Duchess of Edinburgh

Following Carew's formation and establishment of the EoGB Racing League, he was appointed as Minister of State for Sport under the Civil Service of the Edinburgh Ministry, in June of 2023. He was in the role for the rest of the Edinburgh Premiership, before the role was dissolved by her successor, the Viscountess Balloch.

Premiership of the Earl of Stirling

Carew decided to run for Parliament for the 28th Session, originally as an Independent before he switched. He chose the constituency of East Devon, owing to his knowledge and local love of the area. Carew is a proud "son of the Westcountry". Only five candidates ran for Parliament, the minimum number needed, and as a result Carew was elected by acclamation. Following a Majority for the Heron Party, Carew was given his first cabinet position; the office of Secretary of State for the Home Office under the Premiership of The Earl of Stirling.

In this role, he provided initiatives such as the return of Citizen of the Month (of which he won the October 2023 Nomination), and the search for a Chief Mouser, which concluded with the appointment of Cecil; he was also the only Member of Parliament to vote and debate on every Bill passed through the Commons. He also wrote his first Bill: the Driving Standards Act 2023, which recieved Royal Assent not long after. He also wrote an amendment for the Good Samaritan Act 2023.

For his services to Government and Parliament, among other things, he became a Member of the Order of Merit in the Dissolution Honours of the 28th Session.

Premiership of the Viscount Douglas

First Term: The Home Office

In the 29th Session of Parliament, no Party acquired a majority and so the Heron Party entered into a Confidence & Supply Agreement with the Independent Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Llywellyn Lleyton. Carew remained in his position as Home Secretary, continuing with the progress of his previous term.

Carew as Chair of the Commons Culture Committee

Following a Period of Absence over the Festive Period, Carew returned to begin a comprehensive Audit of the New Mousing Department of the Home Office, and oversaw the Official Heron Party Response to the Duke of Warwick Affair on the 3rd January 2024. Soon after, following the collapse of the Liberal Democrats, a General Election was called for the 30th Session of Parliament; to be concluded on the 8th of January. Carew once again had voted on every Bill in the Commons, the only one to do so that Session apart from his son, Owain W.G. Carew-Grey.

In his role as Home Secretary he also oversaw part of the Commons Culture Committee, the precursor to the HPA Committee that Carew would remain a part of for much of his time in the House of Commons. He also wrote "A guide to writing a will" to support those wishing to create one.

Carew wrote two Bills, with both passing the Commons. These were the Mousing Standards Act (that established the Mousing Department of HM Government) and the Merry Christmas Resolution 2023. He also wrote and suggested amendments to the Bus Nationalisation Act (to reduce ambiguities regarding private and State Ownership), the Inheritance Amendment Act (where he supported legislative amendments made by the 2nd Viscount Douglas), and the Omnibus Children's Rights Amendments Act.

Second Term: Deputy Prime Minister & The Foreign Office

Carew was duly re-elected for a third consecutive term, securing 85% of the possible votes he could have recieved, with the Heron Party and its Coalition Members securing a clear and workable majority.

For his long service, as well as the expansion of Government to include notable returning statespeople such as the Duke of Edinburgh (who became Secretary of State for Home Affairs), Carew became the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as well as assuming the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

Carew was appointed Chair of the Commons Culture Committee by the Re-elected Speaker of the House of Commons, Llywellyn Lleyton.

On the 20th of January, the Prime Minister began a period of absence from the region, resulting in Carew taking over the running of Government Business in his role as Deputy Prime Minister. He oversaw the resignation of his wife, Josephine Carew-Grey, from her position as Chancellor of the Exchequer. As a result, Carew published a Referendum regarding the Publics' vigour for the economy, something that resulted in continuing support for the return of some form of Economic Model. Owing to a narrow majority in favour, Carew duly advised His Majesty King Edward IX to appoint Sir Elio Somerset as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Prime Minister returned on the 31st January, in which he thanked Mr. Carew "for his fantastic work in my absence", and that matters were "expertly handled".

Thomas Carew as Home Secretary, alongside Tiff, who at the time was Mouser to the Home Office. One of the official images used by the Heron Party.

During this time the former Speaker of the House of Commons, Llywellyn Lleyton, resigned, and as such Carew supported the Right Honourable Member for Queen's Park & Maida Vale for the second time. With no competition, she was elected as Speaker. On the 29th of January, Carew was appointed Chair of the Business, Environment, Food and Science Commons Committee.

Owing to the Jubilee of King Edward IX, Carew participated in many of Parliaments' celebrations for the event, such as the Parliamentary Resolution and the Loyal Addresses.

As Foreign Secretary, Carew oversaw an uptick in Foreign Office Updates, reviving the practice following their phasing out under the Premiership of the Duchess of Edinburgh. He engaged in talks with both the Regions of Europeia and Talonia, and orchestrated an interview between the Prime Minister and the Grand Vizier Emeritus of the latter.

Furthermore, Carew as Deputy Prime Minister was involved in several other areas of Government. Notably, he was a former member of the Economic Advisory Committee, and was in regular discussion with the Prime Minister on the topic of the economy, authoring several internal drafts and memos on the subject. He made his own views on the economy public in the Treasury Consultation, advocating for bureaucratic simplicity and easier taxation to calculate.

Carew continued to write legislation, co-authoring the Listed Buildings Act with his son. He wrote amendments for the Child Trust Fund Act (an Act he was a staunch advocate for), as well as for the War Memorial Protection Act.

Heron Designate

On the 17th of February, the Viscount Douglas announced his intention to step back as the Designate of the Heron Party after two terms. In a statement from Blenheim Palace, the Prime Minister said he would not run at all in the next General Election. Following this, the Heron Party on February 19th, issued a statement announcing that Carew had been declared and elected as the new Designate of the Party. Furthermore, he was to run for the Premiership.

Carew entered negotiations with the British Liberal Party to enter a two-term coalition agreement, something that was finally agreed upon on the 24th of February. It was named the Concorde Agreement.

On the 1st March 2024, the new King, Charles III, issued a writ of election to end the 30th Session: for the few days up to the end of the election, the Prime Minister and HM Government were reaffirmed to continue in their offices. Carew was unusually slow by his standards to register for the election (an hour after registration opened), but presented his campaign the same day, simply titled "Thomas Carew for PM", whereby he highlighted his legislative and Government Agenda if he were elected Prime Minister.

The following day, Carew announced his proposed cabinet. While campaigning in his home constituency in the seaside town of Exmouth, Carew answered questions from Sig Vomerset of the Queenstown Herald-Monocle, a newspaper owned by Prince Victor, Duke of York, ranging from his cultural reforms, economic plans, and his experiences with the food outlet Greggs.

On the 5 March, Carew was elected in as an MP for the fourth consecutive term, making him father of the house and acting Speaker for the Commons Speaker Elections. He was invited to form a Government the same day.

First Premiership (5 March 2024 - 1 July 2024)

Main Article: Premiership of the Baron Knightstone. For the people in Carew's administration, see: First Knightstone Ministry and Second Knightstone Ministry.

Premiership

Carew outside 10 Downing Street, making his first statement as Prime Minister.

Thomas Carew, Baron Knightstone's term as the Prime Minister of Great Britain began on 5 March 2024 when he accepted an invitation of Charles III, succeeding William Somerset, 2nd Viscount Douglas, and ended on the 1 July 2024, following his decision not to seek a third term in office. During this time he also served as Designate of the Heron Party until 1 May, and then as Leader of the Unionist Party from the 1 May up to the end of his Premiership. Furthermore, he served as First Lord of the Treasury. Carew is the second Prime Minister of King Charles III, and the first to be elected during his reign. He led the Herons and the British Liberal Party in the Concorde Coalition to secure a supermajority in the 31st Session of Parliament, before securing the biggest majority since the days of the British Constitutionalists under the banner of his new party, the Unionist Party. He served for 119 days, the fourth most of any consecutive tenure by Prime Ministers, and second in terms of elected PMs only to James Forsyte, 1st Duke of Warwick. In terms of cumulative days as PM, he ranks fifth, behind Prince Victor, Duke of York, Oliver Newman, the aforementioned Duke of Warwick, and Kathrine Grey, 1st Countess of Argyll.

From the 5th March until the 6th April, his Premiership was referred to as the Carew Premiership, but upon Carew's elevation to the peerage, it became known as the Knightstone Premiership, with Carew being referred to both by his last name as as Knightstone, or Lord Knightstone. For much of his first term he is referred to as "Carew", with "Knightstone" used more commonly during his second. On the 23 June he was elevated once more for his service as Prime Minister to be known as the Viscount Sidmouth. It was the second time in regional history that a sitting PM had recieved an elevation in the peerage, the first time also being Carew's elevation to the Barony of Knightstone. The overall name for the Premiership renamed "Knightstone" however, since the majority of Carew's time in Downing Street was spent with that name and the Honours List the elevation came with was a Dissolution Honours. Carew was referred to in Government as "Lord Sidmouth" for the last two weeks or so of his term, but informally, and only took up the title formally upon his departure from Downing Street.

Cabinet

Across Carew's two terms he oversaw a variety of cabinets and different Ministers, including three Home Secretaries, two Chancellors, three Deputy Prime Ministers, and four Special Advisors.

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy was overall marked by two key developments, a Treaty with the region of Talonia and the high-profile breakdown of negotiations and relations with Europeia, along with their subsequent informal re-opening towards the end of the term.

Parliamentary Activity as Prime Minister

Alongside his role as Prime Minister, Carew became Father of the House of Commons, having served more current consecutive terms in the House than any other MP. As a result, he oversaw the Speakership Election for the 31st Session, with an acclamation announcing Elio Somerset, 1st Viscount Salisbury as Speaker. He returned to the same position the following term, overseeing the election of his eldest son, Owain Carew-Grey, as Speaker.

Unionist Party

Main Article: Unionist Party.

Thomas Carew, Unionist Party. May 2024.

Carew, alongside his wife, Josephine Carew-Grey, founded the Unionist Party on the 1st May 2024, in response to the earlier dissolution of the Concorde Coalition and their displeasure at running against each other in the upcoming General Election. The Herons and the British Liberal Party were both subsequently dissolved, with the Unionists fielding a large number of candidates. Carew was the parties first Leader, as its Designate, saying that he disliked the term "Designate" and aligning the party with more realistic precedent, with the Leader being the Designate and in charge of party policy. The "party elder" was to be appointed as Chair, at the time of founding this being Josephine Carew-Grey.

During the Party Conference at the Grand Brighton Hotel, Carew announced on the 28th May that he would stepping back as Unionist Leader and as PM at the next election. Carew proposed Josephine Carew-Grey as his successor, a motion seconded by August Carew-Grey, their younger son. The motion was not contested and as such Lady Knightstone would succeed Carew on the day the polls closed, which was later announced to be the 1 July 2024. It would mean Carew served 61 days as Unionist Party Leader.

He would remain on the Unionist Party Frontbench, a permanent privilege for the two founding members.

Second and Third Premierships

Wilton & Warwick Premierships

Following his departure as Prime Minister, Carew was appointed as Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office and Leader of the House of Commons during the Premiership of the Baroness Wilton, the PM being his wife. He oversaw the negotiations with Sophia for a Treaty of Friendship, adviced the PM on Ministerial appointments, and also contributed to Government bills and legislation in the Commons.

Following Lady Wilton's decision to resign from the position of Prime Minister due to ill health halfway through the term, Carew supported the Leadership bid of the Deputy Prime Minister, James Forsyte, The Duke of Warwick, who was invited to form a Government on the 2nd August.

Remaining in his roles as Secretary of State to the Cabinet Office and Leader of the House of Commons, Carew also agreed to return to one of the Great Offices of State to serve as Secretary of State for the Home Office once again, replacing the recently-resigned Charles Wright, The Baron Huntingdon.

He was a co-writer of the key Governance Act 2024, a replacement for the Executive Act 2024 Carew previously contributed too, and he also suggested and helped with numerous amendments. Carew also made several major amendments to the Opposition Amendment Act regarding the Oppositions' hopes of creating a purpose-built residence for official business away from Westminster Hall. Despite initial opposition from others and stalls in debate, the Act passed through the Commons. The Act failed in the House of Lords, though Carew still supported a similar amendment later in the session made by Charles Wright. Carew also made substantial amendments to the Vehicle Registration Plates Act, owing to his knowledge on motors and vehicles in general.

Second Premiership (27 August - 8 October 2024)

Main Article: First Premiership of the Viscount Sidmouth. For the people in Carew's administration, see: First Sidmouth Ministry.

Carew returned unexpectedly as Prime Minister following the contentious results of the August 2024 General Election, which saw a hung Parliament between the Unionist Coalition and its counterpart, the reformed Heron Party. When no agreement could be reached, Carew was positioned as a compromise candidate and three days after the conclusion of the election, Carew was invited to form a Government. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Charles III, and extended his record at the time as the monarch's longest-serving Prime Minister.

Carew's tenure in the 34th Parliament of Great Britain as an MP broke the record for most consecutive sessions of Parliament sat in, with Carew at the time having reached his seventh session as an MP. He beat the previous record of six consecutive sessions, held by James Forsyte, The Duke of Warwick.

During the term, Carew oversaw the return of parliamentary and government stability; the signing of major Orders-in-Council; the continuation of recruitment efforts; and the establishment of the National Trust. It is considered to be a signifcant Premiership for the restoration of calm in Westminster, but lacked in areas such as Foreign Affairs and the failure to produce an Economic Budget.

Calder & Huntingdon Premierships

Following the acclaimed October 2024 General Election in which the Unionist Party secured another workable coalition majority, Carew's son, Lord Calder & Wilton, became Prime Minister. Carew served as his Downing Street Chief of Staff. However, Lord Calder resigned after 32 days with immediate effect: his first Chancellor who had resigned following the failure of the Budget to recieve assent, Charles Wright, became Prime Minister for the last five days of the term in the run-up to the next election. Carew remained in Government as Chief of Staff.

As a Member of Parliament, Carew entered his fifth session as Father of the House, extending his own record, but was also perhaps at his most active. For the first time, he became Chairman of Ways and Means - in other words, Deputy Speaker - and authored four bills, all of which passed through the House. The two most prominent were the Constituency Legacy Act, enshrining privileges for those with long service and were synonymous with a particular constituency, and more pressingly, the Jam Act. The latter was a passionate defence and regulatory enshrinement of British preserves. It passed through both Houses and recieved assent.

Third Somerset Premiership

Carew's short-lived retirement from frontline politics came to an end upon the upset success of the Conservative & Unionist Coalition at the November 2024 General Election. As Chair of the Unionists, he was a key part of the pre-election coalition negotiations and ultimately became Deputy Prime Minister for the second time in his career. He also took on a new role, that of Secretary of State for Education and Culture. Despite being in coalition with the Conservatives who wished to push through reforms such as the return of the Address-in-Reply and Election Reform, Carew in Cabinet remained the biggest critic of these reforms and was the only minister to ultimately reject and block proposals for the return of the AiR.

Third Premiership (5 December 2024 - 5 January 2025)

Somerset, despite the promise of success, failed to have the time to work properly as PM, and resigned: as Deputy Prime Minister, Carew was appointed for the third time as Prime Minister, serving now as Charles III's ninth Prime Minister.

Carew oversaw the practical establishment of the National Trust, the Constituency Legacy Act, and Foreign Affairs breakthroughs with Europeia, hosting a large Winter Festival.

Current Political Career

Carew, upon departing as PM, also left the House of Commons after nine sessions (more than a calendar year) as the MP for East Devon, and was appointed to the House of Lords. He would serve as a Special Adviser, and later as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, in the Government of the Duke of Cambridge.

Legislative Record

Voting Record

For Thomas Carew's full Parliamentary voting record see: Parliamentary Record of Thomas Carew.

Authored Bills

Thomas Carew has authored or proposed the following bills:

• Driving Examination & Standards Act 2023 (A Non-Standard Act to regulate Driver Standards and licensing across all classes of vehicles).
• Mousing Standards Act 2023 (An Act to regulate and standardise the work expected and the rights recieved by Government Mousers).
• Merry Christmas Resolution 2023 (A Resolution to mandate the Merriness of this Festive Season).
• Listed Buildings Act 2024 (A Non-Standard Act to regulate Buildings of Historical Interest & Importance).
• Treaty of Osborne (Talonia) Act 2024 (An Act to ratify the Treaty of Osborne with the region of Talonia).
• National Gallery Act 2024 (An Act to establish the National Gallery of the Empire of Great Britain).
• Chequers Act 2024 (An Act to designate Chequers as the official country residence of the Prime Minister).
• HM Most Loyal Opposition Act 2024 (An Act to establish procedures relating to the formation and management of HM Most Loyal Opposition).
• May Budget Act 2024 (An Act to determine the Fiscal and Budgetary limitations of the Nation).
• Sporting Organisation Act 2024 (An Act to establish the Official Sporting Organisations of the Empire of Great Britain).
• Products of Protected Regional Origin Act 2024/ Pasty Act 2024 (A Non-Standard Act to protect and regulate distribution of culturally important, regional goods).
• Governance Act 2024 (An Organic Act to provide for the powers, duties, responsibilities, and limitations of the executive government).
• National Trust Act 2024 (An Act to establish the National Trust of the Empire of Great Britain).
• Building Regulations Act 2024 (A Non-standard Act to introduce building regulations and planning procedures within the Empire of Great Britain).
• Jam Act 2024 (A Non-standard Act to maintain the standards of British preserves, jams, and other similar products).
• Constituency Legacy Act 2024 (An Act to legislate constituencies of intrinsic national and cultural interest).
• Trafalgar Day Resolution 2024.
• Regional Holidays (Trafalgar Amendment) Act 2024 (An Act to amend the Regional Holidays Act of 2023).
• Constituency Legacy (Amendment) Act 2024 (An Act to amend the Constituency Legacy Act of 2024).
• Beaver Reintroduction (River Otter) Act 2024 (A Non-Standard Act to reintroduce Beavers to the River Otter Catchment).
• Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2025 (An Act to Define a Process to Create, Retire, and Preserve Parliamentary Consituencies).

The Listed Buildings Act 2024 was co-written with Owain Carew-Grey. The May Budget Act 2024 was co-written with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, James Forsyte. The Governance Act 2024 was predominantly written by Josephine Carew-Grey: Carew was listed as a writer since he was a contributor of several legislative ideas in the Bill. The National Trust Act 2024 was co-authored alongside Llywellyn Evans-Jones. The Beaver Reintroduction Act was written by Llywellyn Evans-Jones, with minor support from Carew.

Royal Household Career

Household of the Prince of Wales

Carew was named Financial Secretary to Henry, Prince of Wales in November 2023. On the 3rd of January 2024, James Forsyte, 1st Duke of Warwick resigned from all positions in Government and in the Royal Household; Carew was thus appointed as Principal Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales. He was involved in the planning of the Jubilee for Edward IX, King of Great Britain.

The Prince of Wales later described Carew as his "Tommy Lascelles", in reference to the domineering Private Secretary of the 1950s. As a result, Carew adopted the nickname "Tommy".

On the 27th January, the Prince of Wales duly announced that Carew would continue as his Private Secretary upon his ascension to the throne as King Charles III.

His Majesty released his Jubilee Honours List early on the 22nd February, one which appointed Carew as a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, "for services to Government, Parliament, the Crown, and regional culture."

Carew was placed in charge of the Trooping the Colour for the Jubilee, an event he asked to coordinate at his request. It is the first Trooping the Colour ever performed in the region. It took place on the 23rd January, and incorporated the traditional Trooping, followed by a Balcony Appearance by members of the Royal Family and then a commemorative flypast, consisting of the WW2 Battle of Britain memorial flights, several Chinooks, and the Concorde in tandem with the Red Arrows.

Household of the Sovereign

Household of Charles III

Upon the ascension of Charles III on March 1st 2024, Carew was appointed as the Private Secretary to the Sovereign. Following internal discussions, he suggested his son and new Assistant Secretary to the Sovereign, Owain W.G. Carew-Grey, become Keeper of the Royal Archives. Carew was made Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household and, along with his role as Private Secretary, became a Member of the Privy Council.

He attended his first Privy Council Meeting the same day as Lord Chamberlain discussing key issues and points of agenda. He later began preparations for a Royal Visit to Scotland, asking Cameron Romefeller, 1st Countess of Argyll if His Majesty and The Prince Consort could stay at her residence, Balloch Castle.

As a Member of the Royal Household during this time, Carew is a Member of the Royal Order of Charles III.

Following a change in Privy Council Appointments, Carew became Lord High Steward of Great Britain and alongside his role as Private Secretary, First Clerk of the Green Cloth, on the 27th May 2024.

From May 2024 Carew took over responsibility of the Court Circular for the Royal Family, but in July 2024 the Court Circular was discontinued. Around this time, Carew began to undertake duties akin to the former role of Keeper of the Royal Archives, updating and maintaining the roll of the peerage, records of honours recipients, and other important Royal information announcements, such as the composition of the Privy Council.

Owing to a change in data laws and legislation, the Privy Council was disbanded and reformed with permanent individuals in July 2024, of which Carew was the only "non-Royal", with all other members either being current members of the Royal Family or former monarchs.

Carew served in the Transition & Coronation Committee of the Prince of Wales, the future George VII, from October 2024 until his accession in 2025. Carew headed Royal communications and continued to take care of the Royal Archives.

Household of George VII

Carew remained as Private Secretary to the Sovereign, and as Lord High Steward, upon Prince John's acession to the throne as King George VII. Carew organised the handover, and curated the new post templates to be used.

As Private Secretary under George VII, he expanded his remit of influence, drafting a wide variety of the King's official business, such as Honours Lists, Orders-in-Council, and remained a prominent figure in the Privy Council.

Businesses

The Logo of Knightstone Publishing, founded April 2024.

Knightstone Publishing

In April 2024, Carew began Knightstone Publishing, a writing and media business for the preservation and creation of articles and novels, in particular the writing of wiki articles. His first client was John, Prince of Wales. The company maintains pages for the likes of Sirch Somerset, Marquess of Lorne; Owain Carew-Grey; Tobias, Prince Royal and many others.

The Times Group

Knightstone Publishing is also the owner of The Times newspaper and its various subsidaries, such as Country Life Magazine.

Motorsport

This article is about the EoGB Racing League, or Formula 1. For the history and information about the Racing League, see RAC Formula 1.

Carew formed the EoGB Racing League in June of 2023, being appointed a Cabinet Minister soon after to administer the Competition. Despite the role being defunct following the end of the Edinburgh Ministry, Carew has continued to run the League in his position as CEO, while also running his own Team, Phare GP Engineering.

Writings & Selected Quotes

Overview

Carew remains well-known for his intricate style of writing, using long, well-worded sentences and peculiar adjectives. Indeed, much of his best-known work is via The Times, though he continually insists he has several books in the works.

Selected Quotes

I couldn't possibly comment.

— Thomas Carew, The Viscount Sidmouth, Multiple Sources

They're eating the jams, they're eating the preserves!

— Thomas Carew, The Viscount Sidmouth, Thomas Carew for East Devon

They're bringing back the Heroin Party folks, what a great party, and I know a lot of parties, let me be clear. I used to be a Heron folks, that's true, but they are great patriots, and great Britons. More bird parties now too, can you believe that? Flocks of them, coming into the Commons, pouring across the street from Portcullis House. We need more Aviaries folks! #MakeAviariesGreatAgain

— Thomas Carew, The Viscount Sidmouth, @RealTommyCarew

To those of you stuck in your ways, who time and time again continue to engage in cyclical anger and toxicity with others, good riddance to bad rubbish. I cannot honestly believe that intellectual, well-educated people with supposedly decent amounts of commonsense find themselves so consistently tugged into sparring over such frivolous topics, and engage in backroom chatter that can only lead to heartache and trouble. Truly, I suspect and sincerely hope for the sake of my sanity that it is not just me exaserbated with the few who ruin it for the many.

— Thomas Carew, The Viscount Sidmouth, Exacerbated - Recent Events

I affirm that the key is not to be bashful, or to intimidate, or to believe the way forward requires a heavy hand: it is to keep calm and carry on. Keep on working, keep on chipping away and the success will arrive, as long as you put your heart and soul into it. In the same way that many will tell you not be afraid of the bold reforms or the ideas you have, remember that the little things, the simple fixes, can be just as important and just as meaningful. Do not go into the light seeking controversy or a legacy, but simply give it your all: it's all I've ever tried to do in this position, and that is to give it my all, quietly and sensibly. At the end of the day, we're here to do a job and to do it to the very best of our ability.

— Thomas Carew, The Viscount Sidmouth, Final Address of the Prime Minister

You may outlive me, you may put me in a nursing home, but the thrill of my Scanias and the smell of my straight-valved exhausts pumping petrol fumes into the gardens of your stately homes I purchased for you will forever haunt you. When you smell the classic scent of a mighty 143 pulling up the hills, hear its V8 roaring along the tarmac and the grand bang of its airhorn, you think of me.

— Thomas Carew, The Baron Knightstone, In response to his eldest son saying he'd sell Carew's Scania.

It would be in your best interests, Willy, to remember your position is to serve and support the Prince Royal and the Household as a whole, not go about with whimsical notions of garden parties

— Thomas Carew, The Baron Knightstone, Addressing the Viscount Douglas, younger son of King Charles III.

It's not a party, it's a work lunch.

— Thomas Carew, The Baron Knightstone

Paintings

Carew is a keen collector and artist, and quickly became known for his various forms of portraiture. During his term as Prime Minister, he founded the National Gallery to serve as an institution to preserve and create art exhibitions in commemoration of citizens. Much of the portraiture was commissioned and created by Knightstone. His works, however, are much more widespread, being notably used here on the wiki and also by various other citizens as face-claims. The Knightstone Brush Style is categorised by a familiarity with Oil Paintings, accompanied by candid, usually close-up, portraits and simplistic backgrounds in order to showcase the figure presented.

• Notable Works of Thomas Carew.
• 

  T.H.C., The Prince Royal, Resplendent Marchmain, 2023, Portrait.

• 

  T.H.C., The Baron Calder, Seat of Power, 2023, Portrait, The Prime Ministers' Portrait Gallery, Chatsworth.

• 

  T.H.C., The Marquess of Lorne, Sirch, Portrait, 2023.

• 

  T.H.C., 2nd Viscount Douglas, The Smiling Viscount, 2024, Portrait, The Prime Ministers' Portrait Gallery, Chatsworth.

• 

  T.H.C., John, Prince of Wales, Colonel, 2024, Portrait, National Gallery.

• 

  T.H.C., The Baroness Knightstone, The Iron Lady, 2024, Portrait.

• 

  T.H.C., Charles Wright, Sir Charles Wright, 2024, Portrait.

• 

  T.H.C., The Baroness Wilton, Pink Lady, 2024, Portrait.

• 

  T.H.C, Prince Victor, Duke of York, Rule Vigtannia, Portrait, 2024.

Personal Life

Wright Family

Originally known as Thomas Baker-Carew, he joined the Noble House of Wright in August of 2023, becoming the son of Andrew Wright, 1st Viscount Islington and younger brother of Yeldon Wright, later Baron Scarborough. He was the only Member of the Wright Family not associated with the Liberal Democrats.

Carew decided to leave the Wright Family, and intended to do so just before the supposed end of the 29th Session of Parliament. However, the Duke of Warwick Affair caused the Prime Minister and Carew's close colleague, William Somerset, 2nd Viscount Douglas, to call a snap election. Thus, "Wright" announced his departure from the Wright Family on the 4th January. He took the name "Carew" as a result.

Carew Family

Carew was one of the founding members of the Carew-Grey Family alongside his at the time fiancée, Josephine Grey. He currently remains Patriarch of the family.

Josephine Carew, The Countess of Strathmore

Josephine Mary Anne Hyacinth Carew (nee Grey, and later Coleridge) is an accomplished barrister, politician, Parliamentarian and writer who is the wife of Thomas Carew. Upon Miss Grey's arrival into the region in late 2023, her and Carew soon developed a close and healthy relationship. Their courtship was brief, with their engagement announced on the 4th January 2024 from Carew's former residence of Chatsworth House. He remarked that the upcoming marriage was "an honour greater than any knighthood I may ever be bestowed" (at the time, Carew was simply The Honourable Thomas Carew, without a Knighthood nor a peerage).

The couple were married on the 7 January 2024 in what was considered one of the most prolific high-society weddings of the period, with the wedding being conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Nicholas Romefeller at St. Paul's Cathedral. The Best man was William Somerset while Henry, Prince of Wales was the Maid of Honour. The Wedding Reception took place at the Savoy Hotel later that evening followed by their honeymoon at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York, and lastly at Goldeneye House in Jamaica, the former residence of Ian Fleming. The wedding car was a gloss white 1977 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.

Josephine and Thomas Carew at a Chanters House Garden Party.

Noted for their keen involvement in each others careers as "partners in crimes" and close confidantes, their connection and mutual understandings usually led them to make decisions contrary to the status quo of politics. Following the collapse of the Concorde Coalition during Carew's tenure as PM, the two upset expectations by dramatically leaving their respective parties to form the Unionist Party, in order to avoid a difficult election campaign neither of them wished to wage against the other. Their high-profile positions in each others Prime Ministerial Cabinets has led some to consider them a "political power couple", though their marriage is one built on mutual understanding, the cherishment of family, and the celebration of British (and Devonian) culture.

The couple have two children: Owain Carew-Grey, Lord Knightstone and August Carew-Grey, The Baron Calder.

Owain Carew-Grey, Lord Knightstone

Carew's eldest son, Owain Wentworth Thomas Carew-Grey is an experienced politician who has served in a variety of positions throughout the Empire. Affectionately known as "Cheeky Chops", a nickname of which Carew himself christened Owain, he is as well-known for his political achievements as for his tendency to involve himself in general tomfoolery. He was educated at Eton College on the insistence of his parents. He is married to Noel de Carteret. Formerly, he was engaged to Elio Somerset, The Viscount Salisbury before his departure.

Owain is a close political ally of his father, serving as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and for a time, Deputy Prime Minister, in Carew's cabinets.

August Carew-Grey, The Baron Calder

The younger son of Carew, Augustus Edward Xeres Carew-Grey is an esteemed politician, parliamentarian and newspaper mogul, as well as former Prime Minister, who was adopted into the Carew-Grey Family upon his return to the region in April-May 2024.

Educated with respect to his Scottish roots via his mother, August remains a close member of the family.

Tiff, the faithful feline friend of Carew. Here he is posing for a ceremonial portrait, due to his former position as Chief Mouser.

Tiff

Tiff is the current family pet of the Carew-Grey's and of Carew specifically, serving as his loyal feline companion for the entirety of his political career. He served as Chief Mouser for the entirety of the Knightstone Premiership and also during the WIlton Premiership - it was announced that Tiff would retire from the role upon Lord Sidmouth and Lady Wilton departing Downing Street, so that he could continue to live with Carew.

The Grey Family

Via Carew's marriage to the current Lady Wilton he is related to the Grey Family, its matriarch being Kathrine Grey, The Countess of Argyll. Furthermore, Carew is the brother-in-law of Prince Miann, Duke of Edinburgh and the Lord Chief Justice, Alistair S.R. Grey, The Viscount Sutherland.

Titles

On the 6th April 2024 Carew was elevated to the peerage as "The Baron Knightstone", his wife also becoming "Baroness Knightstone". His son was entitled to be styled as "The Honourable Owain Carew-Grey of Knightstone."

Despite the relatively short-amount of time from his previous elevation, on the 23rd June, Carew became "The Viscount Sidmouth" for services as Prime Minister, to the Crown, Government and Parliament, and to the region as a whole.

Other Ventures

Carew is joint-owner of Beauvale Rovers Football Club, who play in the Regional Football League. In only one outing, they achieved a run to the Semi-finals of the Windsor Cup. The following season, they won the League Title, winning 4-3 in the finals against the Swansea Hoplites.

Residences

The Knightstone Estate

Main Article: Knightstone Estate

The Knightstone Estate is a large selection of estates, manorhouses and holdings in and around the Devonshire town of Ottery St. Mary, with farms stretching as far as Sidmouth, East Hill and Exeter. Serving as the seat of the Carew-Grey Family, the official residence is The Chanters House, but the Estate is maid up of many other manors, the other predominant three being Knightstone Manor (from which the name of the Estate is derived), Cadhay, and Escot.

Kylemore Castle

Main Article: Kylemore Castle

A charming example of Victorian Castle Architecture, it was purchased by Carew's wife, Josephine Carew-Grey on the 1 March 2024 to serve as a holiday home. Carew visits intermittently for holidays.

Titles, Styles, Honours, Arms

Main Article: Titles, Styles, Honours and Arms of Thomas Carew.

Thomas Carew in the Robes of the Most Noble of the Garter.

Titles

• 1 January 2025: Earl of Devon
• 23 June 2024: Viscount Sidmouth
• 6 April 2024: Baron Knightstone
• 16 February 2025: Lord of the Manor of Knightstone

Styles

• 18 May 2023 - 18 August 2023: Mr. Thomas H. Baker-Carew
• 18 August 2023 - 20 September 2023: Mr. Thomas H. Wright
• 20 September 2023 - 4 January 2024: The Honourable Thomas H. Wright
• 4 January 2024 - 22 February 2024: The Honourable Thomas Carew
• 22 February 2024 - 1 March 2024: The Honourable Sir Thomas Carew
• 1 March 2024 - 6 April 2024: The Right Honourable Sir Thomas Carew
• 6 April 2024 - 23 June 2024: The Right Honourable Lord Thomas Carew, The Baron Knightstone
• 23 June 2024 - 1 January 2025: The Right Honourable Lord Thomas Carew, The Viscount Sidmouth
• 1 January 2025 - Present: The Right Honourable Lord Thomas Carew, The Earl of Devon

Honours

• Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG)
• Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (KT)
• Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick (KP)
• Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (GCB)
• Member of the Order of Merit (OM)
• Chancellor and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
• Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ)
• Companion of the Royal Order of Charles III
• Recipient of the Charles III Coronation Ribbon

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of the Viscount Sidmouth

Adopted 1 November 2024 Coronet A coronet of a Viscount Crest On a mount Vert a horse passant Argent (Crumby Crumpet) holding in the mouth a plume of one ostrich feather Or (Carew) Escutcheon Quarterly, 1st and 4th vert an otter's head erased argent, 2nd per pale gules and sable three towers or, 3rd per pale gules and sable an owl argent, over all a fess or a lion passant sable armed sable langued gules. Supporters Dexter and Sinister griffins argent, beak and arms or, langued and armed gules, winged or, standing on a compartment of grass. Motto Nunquam Ruunt Perfectio (Perfection never rushes) Orders Collar of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick (appointed Knight Commander on 23 June 2024).