At home with the family: David Cameron's Christmas card

By Michael Seamark for MailOnline
Updated: 03:07 EST, 11 December 2008

Unlike certain politicians, David Cameron has few qualms about putting his family on show.

They are, says the Tory leader, part of 'what makes you tick' - so why not use them on the Cameron Christmas card?

In this portrait, artily shot in black and white, Mr Cameron, his wife Samantha and their three children present the perfect picture of metropolitan family life.

Enlarge   David and Samantha Cameron pictured at their London home with children, Nancy, Arthur and Ivan. The family photograph has been used by the Conservative Party leader for his 2008 Christmas card

David and Samantha Cameron at their London home with children Nancy, Arthur and Ivan. The photograph has been used by the Tory leader for his 2008 Christmas card

Dad, tie and suit jacket discarded but still wearing his office brogues, gazes fondly at six-year-old son Ivan, who was born with cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy.

Mrs Cameron, a pair of trendy Onitsuka Tiger trainers on her feet, smiles with four-year-old Nancy under one arm and two-year-old Elwen in the middle.

What looks like a balloon drifts out of shot in the photograph taken in the Camerons’ West London home. A rug covers the wooden floor, a piece of modern art adorns the walls and a digital radio in the background completes the picture of Notting Hill life.

The picture was taken by award-winning photographer Tom Stoddart, who has been following the Tory leader around for a photographic project.

Mr Cameron spotted it among dozens taken by Stoddart and asked to use it on his Christmas card.

In September, he rejected Gordon Brown’s charge that he used his disabled son as a ‘prop’.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘Some people criticise me for talking about Ivan, but he is an important part of my life. My view is that this whole thing of children and wives –
do what you feel comfortable with and let people judge you.’

David Cameron has defended exposing his family to the public gaze

David Cameron has defended exposing his family to the public gaze

Nine months ago Mr Cameron was forced to defend his decision to allow TV cameras inside his home and film his three young children eating breakfast.

He took the highly unusual step of allowing ITV to broadcast the intimate domestic portrait, which showed him asking Nancy whether she wanted Cheerios or Shreddies
for breakfast and helping Elwen with his food.

Tony Blair faced widespread criticism after demanding privacy for his children, but then calculatedly used his family to promote himself.

While his successor Mr Brown has allowed his wife Sarah to step into the limelight, following her electrifying party conference, their two young sons – one of whom has cystic fibrosis – remain largely off limits.

But Mr Cameron has never said he intends to keep his children out of the public eye.

After the ITV footage was screened he said: ‘I am asking people a really big thing, which is to make me their Prime Minister.

‘And I think if you do that, people have a right to know a bit about you and your life and your family and what makes you tick.'

Comments (0)

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now