The Sun backs Cameron

Friday, 25 November 2005 12:00 AM

Two national newspapers today threw their weight behind David Cameron as the best man to lead the Conservative party back into government.

Less than a fortnight before the ballots of party members close on December 5th, The Sun and The Daily Telegraph both back the shadow education secretary as the Michael Howard's successor.

Despite the early lead taken by shadow home secretary David Davis, Mr Cameron has been the frontrunner ever since his acclaimed speech to the party conference in Blackpool last month.

Concerns about his youth and inexperience - he has only been an MP for four years - were exacerbated by his refusal to answer questions about drug use during his time at university.

However, editorials today suggest that none of these are major concerns, with two national newspapers joining the Economist in supporting the 39-year-old Mr Cameron.

The Sunacknowledges Mr Davis' experience on the shadow front benches, as party chairman and as head of the public accounts committee, but says it has "listened long enough" and has now made a decision.

"David Cameron has grown out of all recognition as a statesman-in-waiting. He is articulate, lucid and self-confident," argues the newspaper, which has about 3.2 million readers.

"He has handled questions about his experience with drugs - and his privileged Eton schooling - with maturity. He looks good on TV and he has the rare gift as a Tory of making voters feel good about life.

"These may seem superficial qualities. But they are essential in an age when the medium is the message."

Meanwhile, an editorial in The Daily Telegraph draws on today's YouGov poll showing a slump in public confidence in Tony Blair to argue that Mr Cameron is the "natural winner" who could bring the Conservatives back into power.

"Mr Cameron has brought a vigour and an optimism to a party which has at times seemed almost obsolescent," it says.

"He has done so largely by avoiding what is called the 'core vote strategy'. This is, of course, somewhat unsettling for staunch core voters, but it augurs well for the next election."

However, it insists that Mr Davis is "essential" to any shadow cabinet, arguing that his experience, his appeal to different parts of the country and his more right-wing tendencies would stabilise a Cameron government.

If he were joined on the front benches with Liam Fox, Malcolm Rifkind and David Willetts, and possibly William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith, they would be a "formidable team".

The editorial adds: "Suddenly the foregone conclusion of a fourth Labour victory looks less certain. The prospect is opening of a new era in British politics."

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