Cameron: Practically a Conservative

by Francis Elliott

David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in a generation, and also the first leader of a coalition government for eighty years. But what is the reality behind his brand of repackaged Conservatism? And who is Cameron the man?

Here, for the first time, is an independent examination of the ‘saviour’ of the Conservative Party and the life that brought him to Number 10. Based on extensive interviews with his closest friends, his most senior lieutenants and his critics, it traces his meteoric rise from an idyllic, privileged childhood, to the heart of government by the age of 25, to leader of the country.

Critical and insightful by turn, this updated edition now covers Cameron’s first year as Prime Minister – a time that has seen unprecedented scandal in the political world, as well as challenges unique to the Conservative leader

Genres: Politics, Biography, Nonfiction

528 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2007

About the author

Francis Elliott studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford and worked first for the New Statesman magazine before learning his trade on local papers in Carlisle and Edinburgh. He was appointed Westminster editor for Scotland on Sunday in 1999 and went on to become the Sunday Telegraph’s deputy political editor before joining the Independent on Sunday in 2003, where he was recently made Whitehall editor.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

GASP! As almost every page has another anecdote about Cameron's privileged upbriging.
WONDER! How he managed to get by living such a hard life.
BEWILDER! At how most anecdotes are something like "his dad's friend, who happened to be the chancellor, came around for tea".

A fascinating look at Cameron that will make you wonder how on earth he can relate to the experiences of normal people. If you want to understand why you shouldn't vote for him, this book should do the trick.

[S Ravishankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting narrative of how a young man who finds himself in the right places at the right times becomes the leader of the conservative party. the author's description of others who are important cast of characters is revealing specially given the benefit of hindsight that we now have.

[Barry McCulloch]

This novel is well researched and well written, navigating the ups and downs of David Cameron (now UK Prime Minister). Certainly, I know much more about him and his background.

It is, albeit subtly, a favourable account even if they pepper it with criticisms from other Tories. It fails to clarify just how charmed a life he has led notwithstanding the death of his disabled son of course. He is, essentially, an aristocrat whose life differs markedly from the average person.

But that takes nothing away from what is a fascinating account of Cameron; his caution of adopting the modernising mantra; and his instinctual pragmatism.

Politically he is, as he said some years ago, the “heir to Blair”, something this book reinforces.

Well worth a read.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done biography of Cameron. The authors trace his days from Eton through Oxford and his launch into government. The book is loaded with quotes and anecdotes from the people that surround Cameron and his team. Furthermore, the authors are not afraid to show both sides of the coin, as they paint a picture of a man with qualities and faults. God willing - Cameron will become the future PM of Britain.

[Brenden]

Cameron: The Rise of the New Conservative by Francis Elliott (2007)

[Kieran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suffered on the last few chapters, which having been crowbarred in since Cameron came to power suffered from not being as well put together as the run up to May 2010.

[Lloyd Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book looking in on the life of our Prime Minister. It shows his life from birth through Eton and to Downing Street. I enjoyed the read very much and would recommend.