David Cameron Leadership
David Cameron (1966- )
Cameron (pictured right) became leader of the British Conservative Party in 2005 and prime minister in 2010.
Why did he become prime
minister?
1. Luck
He had a very posh upbringing, educated at Eton and Oxford University.
His mother is an aristocrat, and his father was a wealthy stockbroker.
2. Charm and communication
He is photogenic, a charismatic TV performer and a great public speaker (as he showed in his decisive speech for
the Conservative Party leadership, when he spoke spontaneously without an autocue).
But his privileged background means that he is often out of touch with the feelings of ordinary people.
3. Family
He has a supportive and loving family – his wife, Samantha, and children, Nancy, Elwen and Florence.
His severely disabled son, Ivan (who died in 2009, pictured right with Samantha), made him more compassionate
and appreciative of the NHS (Britain’s free, universal government health service).
4. Self-belief and willpower
He has total confidence in his ability to succeed. “He doesn’t do doubt”, as one friend put
it.
This self-belief is accompanied by an enormous will to win and determination to put his policies into
action.
5. Visionary purpose
He has a clear vision of the Britain he wants to create, based upon:
- the “Big Society” (emphasizing individual and community action).
- protection of the environment.
- a mixture of capitalism and government action.
6. Learning and change
He learned from the success of Tony
Blair (pictured right) - Blair's:
- suppression of extremists in his party.
- a mixture of capitalism and government intervention.
So (encouraged by his wife, Samantha, pictured right) Cameron abandoned his old right wing views like
his opposition to the promotion of homosexuality in schools.
7. Intellect
He is extremely bright. One of his professors at Oxford University described him as “one of the nicest and
ablest pupils I ever taught”.
8. Tough
He’s competitive, ambitious and ruthless, as he showed
in his opposition to the Conservative Party’s right wingers who aren’t so enthusiastic about the NHS, welfare
state, racial equality and gay rights.
Key quotes on
leadership
This is my DNA: family, community, country.
Mine is not just a vision of a more powerful country. It is a vision of a more powerful people.
It’s where you are going to, not where you have come from that matters.
Key quote on Tony
Blair
I want to talk about the future. He was the future once (talking about Tony Blair).
Key quote on
society
Society is not a spectator sport
Key quote on
success
There’s no massive thing I’ve done [where] I lie awake thinking I wish I’d never done that.
|