Tory chief youngest PM in two centuries
David Cameron talks to US President Barack Obama on the phone on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP
Conservative Party leader David William Donald Cameron became Britain’s youngest Prime Minister in two centuries when he was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday night.
Forty-three-year-old Cam-eron is the youngest Prime Minister since 1812 when 42-year-old Lord Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool, became Premier. Britain’s youngest Prime Minister ever was William Pitt the Younger, who was 24 years old on his appointment in 1783.
Mr Cameron, born on October 9, 1966, has a brother and two sisters. He comes from a privileged background — his father was a stockbroker and the chairman of the gentlemen’s club Whites.
London-born Cameron grew up in Berkshire, did his schooling at the world-famous Eton College, and graduated in philosophy, politics and economics from Brasenose College at the University of Oxford.
His background led to the Labour politicians criticise him for social elitism and using “old-boy networks.” He worked with the Conservative Party since his graduation at the age of 21 years and worked as director of corporate affairs for Carlton Communications between 1994 and 2001.
Mr Cameron first became MP in 2001 when he won the election from Witney and became the leader of the Conservative Party in 2005. Mr Cameron used to cycle to Parliament from his North Kensington home, where he lived with his young family.
Mr Cameron has been married to wife Samantha since 1996. She belongs to a wealthy landed family and is the daughter of a baronet and step-daughter of a viscount. She is pregnant with the couple’s fourth child and is due to give birth in September.
The baby would be the third in 160 years to be born to a serving Premier. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie had their fourth child Leo in 2000 while living at Downing Street. Before that, Lord John Russell became father in 1849 while serving as Prime Minister.
The Camerons have two children, Nancy (6) and Arthur (4). Their eldest son Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, died in February 2009.
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