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Cameron: The Rise of the New Conservative

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Francis Elliott, the Whitehall Editor of the Independent on Sunday, and James Hanning, an old Etonian and the Executive Editor of the Independent on Sunday, have written a fascinating biography of David Cameron, the leader of the opposition since 2005. The son of a stockbroker, who went to preparatory school, Eton and Oxford, Cameron has led a life `of gilded privilege, of nannies, swimming pools and friends in the City', as they describe it.

An Etonian said, "you are tough as nails, you are, and no one realises it." The phrase `not as nice as he seems' recurs. An Oxford friend said, "he loved the free market and Thatcher." Elliott and Hanning sum up, "he was, as university friends confirm, a dyed-in-the-wool Thatcherite."

Cameron worked at the Conservative Research Department from 1988 to 1992 and then as an adviser first to Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont and later to Home Secretary Michael Howard. A friend said, "David was very right wing in those days."

In 1992, Prime Minister John Major and Cameron's boss Lamont insisted that they had no plans to raise taxes, and then within a year signalled three years of tax rises in the 1993 budget. This `green' tax, of VAT on fuel, lifted the tax take by more than £10 billion by 1995. Cameron has pledged to make emissions cuts targets statutory.

In 1994, his fiancée's mother, a friend of Michael Green, chairman of Carlton Communications (the world's worst TV company), got him a £80K a year job as the firm's spin doctor. He worked there for seven years. Green said, "I think David can be ruthless ... he was as tough as they come." Others saw him as a smarmy bully.

Cameron said, "I am an instinctive hawk." He voted for the Iraq war, despite saying that he would not do so without proof of threat or a UN resolution. He was and is liberal on drugs and gays, hard-right on the economy, and neo-con on foreign policy.

This book is a great insight into one of the leading politicians in Britain today. From his years at Eton and Oxford to leading the opposition attacks on Labour in the House of Commons gallery, this piece of literature provides an accurate yet objective look into the intriguing life of the Honorable Mr. David Cameron. As well as a look at his policies and positions for the future of Great Britain and the world. I bought my copy while on a trip to London and as an American supporter of the MP am enthused to see that it will finally be available to all Americans. Overall I was very impressed by Francis Elliot and James Hannings portrayal of Mr. Cameron and would recommend to all who take a strong interest in UK politics and figures.

For many Americans, it takes a while for Prime Ministers of Britain to become known. Margaret Thatcher was not someone to be missed; Tony Blair lasted long enough to become a well-known figure in the United States, and his cooperation with George W. Bush showed that the 'special relationship' of the US and Britain transcended natural political affinities or disagreements (Blair, being of the Labour Party, would tend to be less naturally politically aligned with the conservative Bush). David Cameron has only been in office for a matter of weeks - his final ascent to the office was one of the more interesting climbs up the greasy pole in recent memory, given the situation with the hung Parliament and no clear majority for either major party.

So, as the news channels scrambled to report about the proceedings, I was surprised at the lack material available about David Cameron, the person most likely to succeed into the office of leader of America's traditional strongest ally. Who is this person? One of the few books available is that by Elliott and Hanning, both journalists by trade (which include among them both tabloids, broadsheets and quality papers). The book was originally put out a few years ago, and has been recently updated to account for the impending election (this revision still refers to Cameron as the most likely next Prime Minister). But at this point, it is too early to understanding Cameron as Prime Minister - what we need is to understand the kind of person he is, so we can anticipate what is likely to happen.

Prime Ministers are accustomed to a lot more control than Cameron, as a leader of a coalition, as leader in a time of extraordinary fiscal difficulty, will be able to exercise. Reading about Cameron's time at Eton and Oxford shows that this might not prove to be a difficulty for him. Cameron is used to being influential and adept at working in an environment where his isn't the primary authority; he is likely to be able to navigate the difficulties that affect his ability to direct the affairs of the nation that are beyond his control. (Author James Hanning lists Eton as one of his schools, which perhaps explains the great detail of Cameron's Etonian days in the text.)

Maurice Fraser is quoted as saying of Cameron that 'he was political to his fingertips' - this seems to be true of from his time at Eton, and even perhaps prior to that, when he was at the now-gone school Heatherdown. No one rises to the role of Prime Minister by accident, but Cameron's is almost a non-traditional rise given the number of Conservatives of late who have broken free from the public school / upper class to Oxford to Parliament mold. By hearkening back to elements of that older Tory establishment, but bringing in ideas and a keen appreciation of the Thatcher revolution, warts and all, he has the potential for becoming a model leader.

One thing that also informs Cameron is his experience with his son, Ivan. Ivan's disability (echoing in larger aspect some of the experiences of Cameron and his own father) and eventual death caused both Cameron and his wife to put things in perspective, and the authors discuss this. Cameron's relation with his wife, and her views of his upcoming premiership (she is said to have been rather explicit that she did not intend to be another Cherie Blair) are also discussed in good detail.

However, the bulk of the book is taken up with Cameron's political career, work with both the Conservative Party, departments of state, the House of Commons, and some stints of outside work. Not all voices presented in the book sing Cameron's praises - Maurice Saatchi and Robin Harris both have criticism for the apparent ease they sense in Cameron changing positions to suit political expediency. Of course, a week is a long time in politics, but Cameron has yet to develop the kind of rock-steady adherence to principles that Thatcher was noted for; on the other hand, there are many things that embedded in him that he is able to reconcile short-term decisions with a longer-term philosophy, according to many of his supporters.

In the epilogue, the authors state that 'David Cameron is said to have the "ability to hide in full view." Charm, confidence and intelligence keep him well defended even as he invites scrutiny.' This book does present an interesting and mostly positive view of Cameron, and is worth reading as a companion to the regular press reports, to help inform us of who this person is who now resides in No. 10 Downing Street.