Cameron

A fully updated edition of Cameron: The Rise of the New Conservative, the first major biography of David Cameron, and now covering his first years as Prime Minister and leader of the coalition government.

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 Downing Street. 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.

Reviews

‘Invaluable … the fresh material makes clear the deep shock of failure in 2010 and the ad hoc mess of the early coalition’ Independent

‘Provides many insights…The authors underline the hard ambition and calculation behind the surface charm, raising fascinating questions about what Cameron might be like as Prime Minister.’ Peter Riddell, The Times

‘If anyone doubts Cameron's classic Tory credentials, then this highly rewarding biography lays out the story brilliantly.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘This readable and well-researched biography provides real insight into the great white hope of the Conservative party.’ Observer, Books of the Year

‘This essential political textbook will be required reading for every journalist covering David Cameron's every move until the general election.’ Independent

About the author

Francis Elliott worked for the New Statesman before being appointed Westminster Editor for Scotland on Sunday. He later became the Sunday Telegraph's Deputy Political Editor and joined the Independent on Sunday in 2003, where he was recently made Whitehall Editor. He was shortlisted in 2005 for “What the Papers Say 'Scoop of the Year'” for his work on David Blunkett's business interests. He lives in London with his wife and two children.

James Hanning initially worked freelance before joining the Daily Mail and then moving to the Londoner's Diary on the Evening Standard, where he rose to become Associate Editor with responsibility for the Comment pages. In 2004 he was appointed Executive Editor of the Independent on Sunday. He lives in London with his wife and two children.