December 8, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Tories hope Cameron can turn the tide
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, December 8, Graphic News:  In the end, it had to be. David Cameron is a Tory for our times and the only possible candidate with any hope of revitalizing his moribund party. But, although Cameron has made an impressive raid on the leadership from under the noses of Tory heavyweights, it is his first few rounds in the Commons that will indicate how much farther he has to go.

In his acceptance speech, Cameron, who beat David Davis by more than two votes to one in the final poll of party members, said he wanted an end to ÒPunch and JudyÓ politics, the partisan thuggery of Westminister. In this, at least, he might get his way: he faces an altogether more subtle yet no less bruising battle for the political centre ground.

Since becoming an MP in 2001, Cameron, 39, has been credited with attempting to return his party to a tradition of Tory liberalism and accused of trying to be the ÒTory BlairÓ. The fact that he seems to appeal to both ends of the political spectrum undoubtedly has something to do with his background as an old Etonian who has declared himself a fully paid-up member of the middle classes, and one with a mission to modernize.

Born on October 9, 1966, Cameron was educated at Eton and obtained a first in politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford. His first job was in the Conservative Research Department, where he progressed quickly, working as political advisor to both Norman Lamont, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, and home secretary Michael Howard. By that time Cameron knew he wanted to enter politics himself, but realised it was vital to gain outside experience and spent the next seven years in a public relations position at the media company Carlton Communications. In June 2001 he was elected as Conservative MP for the Witney constituency in Oxfordshire.

He rose swiftly through the ranks, serving as a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee from 2001-2003, becoming deputy chairman of the party in 2003 and coordinating party policy in the run-up to the 2005 general election. After the Conservative defeat, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills. He ran an energetic campaign to beat veteran Ken Clarke, relative newcomer Liam Fox and finally David Davis, initially the firm favourite, to seize the leadership.

If that was largely a victory of style, Cameron must now develop the substance that could give him a chance of beating Blair or his likely successor, Gordon Brown, at the next election. He has said he believes in competition and private provision for the NHS, but insists the service remains free at the point of use. He backs greater autonomy for schools and university tuition fees.

Cameron rejects the Euro on principle and would withdraw Britain from EU social and employment policies. He would also withdraw the Conservatives from the right-wing grouping in Europe. So far, he has been less vocal on the twin Tory bugbears of crime and immigration than on the environment and the need to address climate change.

His first task will be to assemble a shadow cabinet that both hones these policies and capitalizes on the surge of interest in the Conservatives. Unlike some of his predecessors, Cameron has the advantage of presiding over colleagues who are no longer divided over Europe, and who perhaps even sense their debt to him for appearing to haul their party into the 21st century. Cameron has said that he is not interested in Britain Òas it wasÓ.

CameronÕs wife Samantha is the Creative Director of up-market stationery firm Smythsons of Bond Street. They have two young children, one of whom is severely disabled, and are expecting a third in the new year. They have homes in West Oxfordshire and LondonÕs Notting Hill.
/ENDS