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The human side of politics | The human side of politics |
(about 3 hours later) | |
David Thompson Political correspondent, BBC News David Cameron said his experience of life with Ivan has shaped his policies | David Thompson Political correspondent, BBC News David Cameron said his experience of life with Ivan has shaped his policies |
For most politicians, the personal and the political are closely intertwined. Human experience forms the basis of the ideas which go on to become policy. | For most politicians, the personal and the political are closely intertwined. Human experience forms the basis of the ideas which go on to become policy. |
In David Cameron's case, the life and now, tragically, the death, of his son Ivan goes to the heart of who the Conservative leader is as a politician. | In David Cameron's case, the life and now, tragically, the death, of his son Ivan goes to the heart of who the Conservative leader is as a politician. |
Mr Cameron's friends speak of a man whose life was changed after the birth of his son. | Mr Cameron's friends speak of a man whose life was changed after the birth of his son. |
No-one would deny that David and Samantha Cameron come from anything other than extremely privileged backgrounds. | No-one would deny that David and Samantha Cameron come from anything other than extremely privileged backgrounds. |
But Ivan's condition, Ohtahara Syndrome, meant that a comfortable lifestyle had to take second place to the needs of their son. | |
Profound respect | Profound respect |
That meant late-night visits to the hospital, sometimes sleeping on the floor by their son's bedside. | That meant late-night visits to the hospital, sometimes sleeping on the floor by their son's bedside. |
It meant meeting other parents with seriously ill children, from all social backgrounds and walks of life. | It meant meeting other parents with seriously ill children, from all social backgrounds and walks of life. |
But perhaps most importantly in terms of David Cameron the politician, it meant a profound respect and admiration for the NHS. | But perhaps most importantly in terms of David Cameron the politician, it meant a profound respect and admiration for the NHS. |
Conservative leaders have sometimes had a problem convincing the public the National Health Service would be safe in their hands. Tony Blair once explained his priority in three words: education, education, education. I can do it in three letters - NHS Conservative leader David Cameron | Conservative leaders have sometimes had a problem convincing the public the National Health Service would be safe in their hands. Tony Blair once explained his priority in three words: education, education, education. I can do it in three letters - NHS Conservative leader David Cameron |
From the outset, David Cameron has made clear the important part he believes it plays in the life of the nation - based on the significant part it plays in his own life. | From the outset, David Cameron has made clear the important part he believes it plays in the life of the nation - based on the significant part it plays in his own life. |
He told the Tory Party conference in 2006: "For me, it's not a question of saying the NHS is safe in my hands. | He told the Tory Party conference in 2006: "For me, it's not a question of saying the NHS is safe in my hands. |
"My family is so often in the hands of the NHS. And I want them to be safe there. Tony Blair once explained his priority in three words: education, education, education. I can do it in three letters - NHS." | "My family is so often in the hands of the NHS. And I want them to be safe there. Tony Blair once explained his priority in three words: education, education, education. I can do it in three letters - NHS." |
But as well as the praise for those at the sharp end of the NHS - the nurses, doctors and carers, there is sometimes an anger as well - anger at what David Cameron sees as the bureaucracy which exists in the system - but also anger at its failures to provide the services which families in a far worse position than his own require. | But as well as the praise for those at the sharp end of the NHS - the nurses, doctors and carers, there is sometimes an anger as well - anger at what David Cameron sees as the bureaucracy which exists in the system - but also anger at its failures to provide the services which families in a far worse position than his own require. |
Should David Cameron win the next election, his experience of life with Ivan won't necessarily make him a good prime minister. | Should David Cameron win the next election, his experience of life with Ivan won't necessarily make him a good prime minister. |
But it will inform his views - and behind nearly every decision he makes, whatever happens in his political life, a little bit of Ivan will be there. | But it will inform his views - and behind nearly every decision he makes, whatever happens in his political life, a little bit of Ivan will be there. |
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