Boris Johnson's brother Jo given Downing Street policy role 25 April 2013 Last updated at 04:07 The prime minister has appointed Jo Johnson - the younger brother of Mayor of London Boris Johnson - as the head of his policy unit. Jo Johnson was elected as MP for Orpington, in London, in May 2010. Mr Cameron, who is also setting up a new advisory board on policy, has been accused of failing to listen to his MPs and Tory activists in the past. BBC political correspondent Vicki Young said he was making a clear attempt to improve communication with his party. It followed bruising battles over gay marriage, Europe, planning laws and Lords reform, she added. She said the appointment of Jo Johnson, 41, who like his brother and the prime minister was educated at Eton and Oxford, was being seen as an attempt to give Conservative policy-making a sharper edge. Mr Cameron's new advisory board on policy will balance the experience of MPs such as Peter Lilley - who served in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet - with prominent roles for several younger backbenchers. They include Mr Cameron's former press secretary, George Eustice, and MP for Wolverhampton South West Paul Uppal.