British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has hired journalist James Forsyth, political editor of the Spectator magazine, as his political secretary.

Forsyth will focus on linking Downing Street, policy teams and the party, according to U.K. press reports on Saturday citing Downing Street.

The prime minister and Forsyth are reportedly close friends. The appointment comes as Sunak tries to calm tensions within the Conservative Party and improve the Tories’ political appeal after the short-lived and stormy administration of Liz Truss.

Recent polls put the Tories well behind the opposition Labour Party in voting intention.