Cameron heads to Rwanda amid criticism at home

Embattled Cameron heads to Africa

Monday, 23, Jul 2007 12:00

David Cameron arrives in Rwanda today to stress his party's commitment to international development.

But he faces increasing criticism back in Britain over claims he has abandoned the Tories' traditional policy commitments.

As many as six MPs have written to Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the 1922 committee which represents backbenchers, calling for Mr Cameron's resignation.

It is unlikely the Tory leader will go on to face a vote of no confidence, requiring the signatures of 29 Tory MPs, but he has faced increasingly high-profile attacks.

Former home secretary Ann Widdecombe is among those criticising Mr Cameron's leadership. She called on him to focus on crime and immigration, remarking most voters probably do not know where Rwanda is.

He said: "He has been very successful in getting support from people who previously would not have looked at us. But he must now pay a great deal of attention to shoring up our traditional vote."

However, Mr Cameron said the visit was a "damn good thing for an opposition to do".

He travels to the African country despite flooding in his Witney constituency.

The Tory leader said the visit to Rwanda, where party members and MPs have already been working on local projects, will show the Conservatives' belief in international development.

The initiative has been spearheaded by shadow international development minister Andrew Mitchell.

Named Project Umubano, it is designed to bridge the "obscene wealth gap between the richest and poorest nations and has seen party members rebuilding schools and teaching children the rules of cricket.

Mr Mitchell said: "We are making a modest contribution - and it is modest - in very important areas for Rwanda. The legacy of the projects will be very helpful."

The Tories claim this is the first such project launched by a British political party. It precedes the long-awaited report from the party's policy group on globalisation and global poverty.

Chaired by former social security secretary Peter Lilley and with input from Bob Geldof, the report is expected to call on wealthy countries to ensure promised aid is delivered effectively.

Mr Mundell said the "tea-room chatter" calling for Mr Cameron's resignation back home seemed irrelevant in a country such as Rwanda.

He told the Guardian: "If some of our colleagues concentrated on the important issues both at home and internationally and less on the internal machinations of the party, they'd be doing the party and the country a service."

Speaking to Sky News yesterday, Mr Cameron said he would resist calls from some within the party to return to the Tories' comfort zone.

He said: "I made changes to the Conservative party over the last 18 months for a very clear purpose – to get us back into the centre ground, to get us into a position where people should listen to what we saying, where we are in touch with Britain as it is today, talking about the things people care about."

Despite strong gains in May's local elections, the Conservatives faired badly in last week's by-elections.

Ms Widdecombe admitted the vote, which saw the Tories squeezed into third place in Sedgefield and Ealing Southall, had not been good for the party.

Many activists also complained that the party was listed as "David Cameron's Conservatives" on the ballot paper.

The latest opinion poll confirms a 'Brown bounce'. A YouGov/Sunday Times poll handed the prime minister a seven point lead.