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Cameron defends filming of family Cameron defends filming of family
(9 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has defended his decision to allow a TV crew to film his family at home.Conservative leader David Cameron has defended his decision to allow a TV crew to film his family at home.
He told the BBC voters had a "right to know a bit more about you, your life and your family, what makes you tick, and what informs your thinking". He told the BBC voters had a "right to know a bit more about you, your life and your family, what makes you tick and what informs your thinking".
Mr Cameron was shown with his wife and three children for an item on ITV News on Thursday. Mr Cameron was shown with his wife, Samantha, and children, Arthur, Nancy and Ivan, on ITV News on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Tories are calling for more flexibility to allow parents to share the duty of bringing up babies. Meanwhile, the Tories are calling for more flexibility to allow parents to share the duty of bringing up children.
'Big thing''Big thing'
Mr Cameron allowed TV cameras to film him at home with his wife Samantha, and three children, Arthur, Nancy and Ivan. Asked if the family filming had been a good thing to do, Mr Cameron said: "Yes. I'm asking people a very big thing, which is to elect me as their prime minister.
Asked if this was a good thing to do, he said: "Yes. I'm asking people a very big thing, which is to elect me as their prime minister.
"And I think people have a right to know a bit more about you, your life and your family, what makes you tick, and what informs your thinking."And I think people have a right to know a bit more about you, your life and your family, what makes you tick, and what informs your thinking.
"And to me, nothing informs my thinking more than family because I think it's the most important thing there is in our society. So that's what I did what I did." "And to me, nothing informs my thinking more than family because I think it's the most important thing there is in our society. So that's why I did what I did."
Speaking ahead of the Conservatives' spring forum in Gateshead, Mr Cameron said he would allow parents to take up to 26 weeks' leave together if they wished. Speaking ahead of the Conservatives' spring forum in Gateshead, Mr Cameron said, under a Conservative government, he would allow parents to take up to 26 weeks' leave together if they wished.
'More involved'
He said flexible parental leave would help make Britain more family-friendly.He said flexible parental leave would help make Britain more family-friendly.
Mr Cameron said: "The world is changing. Men want to be more involved in bringing up their children. That's why flexibility is a really good thing."Mr Cameron said: "The world is changing. Men want to be more involved in bringing up their children. That's why flexibility is a really good thing."
The government plans to extend maternity leave to 52 weeks by 2010.The government plans to extend maternity leave to 52 weeks by 2010.
After the first 26 weeks, parents would be able to choose whether the mother or the father stays at home. After the first 26 weeks, parents would be able to choose whether the mother or the father stayed at home.
The Tory proposals would offer 52 weeks' flexible leave to both parents to divide as they choose. The Tory proposals would offer 52 weeks' flexible leave to parents to divide as they chose.
'Out of touch'
In theory, mothers and fathers could stay at home together for as long as six months while receiving a mixture of paid leave and statutory pay.In theory, mothers and fathers could stay at home together for as long as six months while receiving a mixture of paid leave and statutory pay.
Such rights would be extended to same-sex couples.Such rights would be extended to same-sex couples.
Mr Cameron said: "It's not just when the baby arrives that can be exhausting, it's after about three or four months when the mother is tired and the baby's not sleeping through the night.Mr Cameron said: "It's not just when the baby arrives that can be exhausting, it's after about three or four months when the mother is tired and the baby's not sleeping through the night.
"That's when families may need more flexibility and choice."That's when families may need more flexibility and choice.
"Labour believe that the state should dictate from the top but we believe that it is the mums who are doing the really heavy lifting in terms of bringing up our children and giving them the right support." "Labour believe that the state should dictate from the top, but we believe that it is the mums who are doing the really heavy lifting in terms of bringing up our children and giving them the right support."
But Business Secretary John Hutton said: "Whether it is the mother or the father staying at home, the majority of families still need one parent going out to work to pay the bills.But Business Secretary John Hutton said: "Whether it is the mother or the father staying at home, the majority of families still need one parent going out to work to pay the bills.
"The Tory big idea on the family shows how out of touch they are with hardworking people.""The Tory big idea on the family shows how out of touch they are with hardworking people."