BORIS Johnson has expressed delight that there is "finally a Johnson in No 10".

The London Mayor was referring to his younger brother Jo, who has been appointed Downing Street's head of policy.

The appointment is being seen as an attempt by David Cameron to build bridges with his backbench critics and capitalise on the legacy of Baroness Thatcher.

In other moves to bolster his position ahead of the 2015 General Election, the Prime Minister recently moved Cameronite John Hayes to the Cabinet Office, set up a new advisory board on policy, and is preparing a summer reshuffle to promote rightwingers, including Scot Michael Fallon, the Business and Energy Minister.

Steve Hilton, the former director of strategy at No 10, who moved to California, will meet with the new advisory board "a few times a year" to help develop and push through Conservative policies. But Whitehall sources stressed he was not returning to a formal job.

Mr Cameron gathered the board – including his former press secretary George Eustice, Jesse Norman, who led the House of Lords reform rebellion, and ex-Cabinet minister Peter Lilley – for the first time yesterday.

"I told them I want more ideas to help hardworking people," Mr Cameron posted on Twitter afterwards.

Mr Johnson, 41, a former journalist who represents Orpington in Kent, will carry out the unpaid role in Downing Street alongside his paid duties as a Government whip. It is not clear whether he will be called on to answer questions in the Commons.

When asked what he thought of his brother's new appointment, Boris Johnson, 48, said: "Great. There is finally a Johnson in No 10.

"Jo will be superb."

The Johnson dynasty

Stanley, 72. The Patriach. Ex-employee of European Commission. Former Tory MEP. Unsuccessfully stood for Tories in 2005 General Election. Wrote autobiography "Stanley I Presume".

Charlotte. The Matriach. Oxford-born painter where her father, Sir James Fawcett, was a fellow at All Souls College. It was while at university she met and married Stanley but they later divorced.

Boris, 48. Eton and Oxford educated. Former Brussels correspondent. Was Spectator editor. Ex-Tory MP for Henley. Sacked as Shadow Arts Minister. Became London Mayor in 2008 and won second term last year. Recently admitted to having ambitions to be Prime Minister – if David Cameron loses next election.

Rachel,47. Oxford-educated. Journalist. Written several novels, including Notting Hell. Editor of The Lady.

Leo, 44. Fellow at Oxford's Smith School of Enterprise. Lectures at London School of Economics. Entrepreneur. Became partner with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 2009.

Joseph, 41. Eton and Oxford educated. Former investment banker and financial journalist. Fluent French speaker. Became MP for Orpington in Kent in 2010. Now Head of Policy Unit in No 10.