March 24, 2010. Copyright 2010, Graphic News. All rights reserved

David Cameron: what does he stand for?
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, March 24, Graphic News:  David Cameron’s advisers might be wishing the election would hurry up and happen: the longer he has to wait, the further the Conservative leader slips in the popularity polls. The airbrushed campaign photo, gaffes over the tax on married couples and mixed messages on the economy have all tarnished the shiny image of the Old Etonian.
 
With just weeks to go, even Cameron’s key achievement since becoming leader in 2005 is under threat. His youth, wit and easy manner helped make his party more palatable to many voters, but the lack of transparency over Lord Ashcroft’s tax status has revived suspicion of the Tories, and confusion over their plans for spending cuts has raised doubts that the Cameroons can be trusted with the economy.
 
Granted, he’s a polished performer but Cameron is operating in a different climate to Tony Blair, whose media savvy was something new. Since then Britain has endured the MPs’ expenses scandal, watched Blair exposed at the Iraq war enquiry, and is still suffering the effects of a deep recession. To be sure of securing Number 10, Cameron must offer something of substance. For many, however, his beliefs are something of an enigma.
 
In many ways, his life has followed the well-trodden path of the English aristocracy; he is a descendant of King William IV. Born in London in 1966, he attended Eton then Oxford before working at the House of Commons. After a brief stint with media company Carlton Communications, he started looking for a parliamentary seat and was elected MP for the Oxfordshire town of Witney in 2000. Just five years later he became leader.
 
But life hasn’t all gone according to plan. Cameron’s first child Ivan was born with cerebral palsy and died, aged six, in 2009. Friends say the Tory leader developed more empathy with others because of his son’s illness. He is a vocal supporter of the NHS. He is sometimes accused of being shallow but supporters and critics alike are convinced by Cameron’s devotion to his wife Samantha and his children. The couple are expecting their fourth child in September.

He promises tax breaks for married couples, a shake-up of education and a clean-up of Westminster. He has attacked Gordon Brown for economic “incompetence” and pledged decisive action to cut the budget deficit. But this may not be enough to guarantee victory. After appearing on the cover of Time in 2008, Cameron was dubbed the “prime minister in waiting”. Now he just wants to get the wait over.
/ENDS