Today's Budget, delievered by Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, has been so disappointing that it's left the Tories huge 1-7 favourites to triumph at the upcoming General Election. And that's not the only good news for the Tory leader.
Samantha Cameron (known as SamCam), the wife of Tory leader David Cameron, has announced that she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child and is due to give birth in September.
Which means that if David Cameron becomes Prime Minister on 6th May, as is most likely, then he'll become the second serving PM in just 10 years to have a child whilst in office, meaning such an event is becoming more common and that our politicial leaders are getting younger.
In May 2000, PM Tony Blair's wife, Cherie, gave birth to Leo. This meant that Blair was the first PM to have a child whilst still in office since John Russell, PM between 1846 and 1852, had a fifth child in 1849.
The Camerons' new child comes after the tragic loss, in February 2009, of their son Ivan, who had severe cerebral palsy.
The couple also have a daughter, Nancy, six, and son Arthur Elwen, four.
Westminster rivalry was temporarily suspended as politicians sent messages of congratulations.
The Prime Minister and his wife Sarah (who themselves lost their daughter, Jennifer Jane, who died just ten days after she was born seven weeks early in 2001) said they were 'very pleased' about the news.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam also sent their congratulations.
Mr Clegg, who has three sons, said: 'I am delighted for them both.'
If David Cameron wins the May 6th election, he will be Britain's first Conservative PM since 1997.
David Cameron is the great-great-great-great-grandson of King William IV and is the 5th cousin, twice removed, of Queen Elizabeth II.
Samatha Cameron also has royal connections - she's the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of "Merrie Monarch" King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwyn.
David Cameron thrilled as Samantha announces she's pregnant with fourth child and due to give birth in September
By Nicola Boden
22nd March 2010
Daily Mail
David Cameron's wife Samantha is three months pregnant, the Conservative Party announced today.
The Tory leader, 43, and his wife, 38, are 'completely thrilled' about expecting their fourth child.
Mrs Cameron is due in September - raising the prospect of another baby being born to a sitting Prime Minister if the Conservatives win the election.
She was spotted doing the school run in Notting Hill this morning, looking relaxed in black jacket, baggy maroon top, black trousers and flat pumps on her feet.
Although a distraction in the run-up to the election, the pregnancy will undoubtedly bolster Mr Cameron's public image as a family man.
It will also provide added resonance for political debate about family issues as he locks horns with Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg in the coming weeks.
The child will be the Camerons' fourth and comes after the tragic loss of their oldest son Ivan last February.
Ivan was born with a rare combination of cerebral palsy and chronic epilepsy and needed round-the-clock care.
He suffered his first seizure within weeks and was in and out of hospitals all his life.
The six-year-old was taken ill in February 2009 and was rushed to hospital but died during the night.
The couple also have a daughter, Nancy, six, and son Arthur Elwen, four.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'The baby is due in September and David and Samantha are completely thrilled.'
The Prime Minister and his wife Sarah said they were 'very pleased' about the news.
A spokesman said: 'They will be sending a message of best wishes to them'.
LibDem leader Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam also sent their congratulations.
Mr Clegg, who has three sons, said: 'I am delighted for them both.'
The Blairs famously had their fourth child, son Leo, while living at Number Ten, when Cherie was 45.
He was the first child born to a serving Prime Minister in over 150 years, since Francis Russell was born to Lord John Russell in 1849.
The announcement today came after racy pictures of Mrs Cameron, taken 12 years ago, were published.
Racy: A modelling shot of Samantha Cameron, taken in 1998, which emerged this weekend
The Tory leader admitted that they had been hoping the modelling shots would never come to light and were both 'very surprised'.
DOWNING STREET BABIES
Tony Blair was the first sitting PM to have a child in 150 years when his youngest son Leo was born in May 2000 (above).
Before him, Lord John Russell, Prime Minister from 1846 to 1852 (below), was the last to have a child in office - his fifth son Francis in 1849.
Cherie took time off work and called in her mother Gale Booth to help after their fourth child's arrival.
The flat above Number 10 was renovated to allow the family - who lived in Number 11 - more room.
Gordon Brown, then Chancellor, agreed to move out and it was renovated into a day nursery and room for a nanny.
Mr Brown now lives at Number Ten with his two young sons John, six, and Fraser, four, who has cystic fibrosis. He has always kept them out of the public eye.
The Browns lost their first child, Jennifer Jane, in 2001. She was born prematurely and died 10 days later after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
But he added: 'We knew one day someone might remember them. We were hoping they would never appear, but they have. These things happen.'
News of the pregnancy comes days after Mr Cameron said his wife would be his 'secret weapon' in the election campaign and take on a much more prominent role.
She gave her first ever public interview last week in a special one-hour ITV show with Trevor McDonald and said her husband had never let her down.
Her appearance was later credited with giving the Tories a bounce in the polls, after weeks of narrowing leads over Labour.
Mr Cameron had made no secret of his desire to add to his family.
Only a week ago, when asked if he would like more children, he said: 'If the stork drops one off.'
In December, after meeting a nine-hour-old baby in a maternity unit, he told reporters: 'It makes me want another one.'
And last September, he said: 'I don't believe Britain is over-populated.
'I don't have any plans to reduce it. I would quite like to add to it, personally, by quite possibly one, at some stage in the future'.
Mrs Cameron would have to juggle looking after the new baby with being the Prime Minister's wife and her job as creative director of upmarket stationers Smythson if the Tories win power in May.
She currently works four days a week at the stationers, where she has been credited for helping to reinvent the once fusty brand.
SamCam - a very modern mother
Elegant and calm, Samantha Cameron has brought some glamour to the Conservative Party since her husband became leader five years ago.
But she is far from a politician's trophy wife, having held down a highly-successful career of her own and juggled being a mother in difficult circumstances.
The couple's first child Ivan was born in 2002 with a rare combination of cerebral palsy and chronic epilepsy.
The family home was designed around his needs and the Camerons won admiration for taking a full share of his demanding childcare regime.
Daughter Nancy was born in 2004 and son Arthur Elwen in 2006.
Ivan was in and out of hospital throughout his life. Classed as a quadriplegic, he could not crawl, walk or talk. He died in February 2009.
Samantha, the daughter of a baronet and a descendant of King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwynn first met her future husband when she was 16.
He was the older brother of her best friend Clare and they met again several years later in Italy. They married in 1996.
Samantha studied fine art at Bristol University where she is said to have played pool with the city's trendiest 'trip hop' DJ Tricky.
She also has a dolpin tattoo on her ankle, after deciding to go for one 'on a whim' while holidaying in Bali.
The 38-year-old has worked at Smythson since 1996, bringing fashion flair to the upmarket stationer.
She has introduced quirky designs and brightly-coloured leather goods as well as a range of hugely popular handbags, one of which is named after daughter Nancy.
Her bohemian style combined with her aristocratic roots has proved a winning formula and last year she won the Glamour magazine's accessories designer award.
She earns significantly more than her husband's £130,000-a-year salary, and is believed to have been awarded a bonus of £300,000 when Smythson was taken over in 2005.
The company was sold again at the end of last year, earning the Tory leader's wife a reported payout of £50,000.
Despite being regarded as the most modern of Tory wives, Mrs Cameron has made it clear she intends to follow the 'Denis Thatcher' model of political spouse, taking a supportive, background role.
'I’m not an all-singing, all-dancing political wife,' she once said. 'There isn’t the time.'
However, her husband has described her as his 'secret weapon' in this year's election campaign - which has seen all three main leaders' wives go more public.
Mrs Cameron gave her first public TV interview just days ago, talking about her family life.
And her husband has revealed how she had decided she wanted to play a more active part in the campaign, appearing around twice a week when it gets under way.
dailymail.co.uk
Samantha Cameron (known as SamCam), the wife of Tory leader David Cameron, has announced that she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child and is due to give birth in September.
Which means that if David Cameron becomes Prime Minister on 6th May, as is most likely, then he'll become the second serving PM in just 10 years to have a child whilst in office, meaning such an event is becoming more common and that our politicial leaders are getting younger.
In May 2000, PM Tony Blair's wife, Cherie, gave birth to Leo. This meant that Blair was the first PM to have a child whilst still in office since John Russell, PM between 1846 and 1852, had a fifth child in 1849.
The Camerons' new child comes after the tragic loss, in February 2009, of their son Ivan, who had severe cerebral palsy.
The couple also have a daughter, Nancy, six, and son Arthur Elwen, four.
Westminster rivalry was temporarily suspended as politicians sent messages of congratulations.
The Prime Minister and his wife Sarah (who themselves lost their daughter, Jennifer Jane, who died just ten days after she was born seven weeks early in 2001) said they were 'very pleased' about the news.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam also sent their congratulations.
Mr Clegg, who has three sons, said: 'I am delighted for them both.'
If David Cameron wins the May 6th election, he will be Britain's first Conservative PM since 1997.
David Cameron is the great-great-great-great-grandson of King William IV and is the 5th cousin, twice removed, of Queen Elizabeth II.
Samatha Cameron also has royal connections - she's the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of "Merrie Monarch" King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwyn.
David Cameron thrilled as Samantha announces she's pregnant with fourth child and due to give birth in September
By Nicola Boden
22nd March 2010
Daily Mail
David Cameron's wife Samantha is three months pregnant, the Conservative Party announced today.
The Tory leader, 43, and his wife, 38, are 'completely thrilled' about expecting their fourth child.
Mrs Cameron is due in September - raising the prospect of another baby being born to a sitting Prime Minister if the Conservatives win the election.
She was spotted doing the school run in Notting Hill this morning, looking relaxed in black jacket, baggy maroon top, black trousers and flat pumps on her feet.
'Thrilled': Samantha Cameron on the school run today. The Tory leader's wife is pregnant with her fourth child
Although a distraction in the run-up to the election, the pregnancy will undoubtedly bolster Mr Cameron's public image as a family man.
It will also provide added resonance for political debate about family issues as he locks horns with Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg in the coming weeks.
A father again: David Cameron on a Sport Relief charity run yesterday
The child will be the Camerons' fourth and comes after the tragic loss of their oldest son Ivan last February.
Ivan was born with a rare combination of cerebral palsy and chronic epilepsy and needed round-the-clock care.
He suffered his first seizure within weeks and was in and out of hospitals all his life.
The six-year-old was taken ill in February 2009 and was rushed to hospital but died during the night.
The couple also have a daughter, Nancy, six, and son Arthur Elwen, four.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'The baby is due in September and David and Samantha are completely thrilled.'
The Prime Minister and his wife Sarah said they were 'very pleased' about the news.
A spokesman said: 'They will be sending a message of best wishes to them'.
LibDem leader Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam also sent their congratulations.
Mr Clegg, who has three sons, said: 'I am delighted for them both.'
The Blairs famously had their fourth child, son Leo, while living at Number Ten, when Cherie was 45.
He was the first child born to a serving Prime Minister in over 150 years, since Francis Russell was born to Lord John Russell in 1849.
The announcement today came after racy pictures of Mrs Cameron, taken 12 years ago, were published.
Racy: A modelling shot of Samantha Cameron, taken in 1998, which emerged this weekend
The Tory leader admitted that they had been hoping the modelling shots would never come to light and were both 'very surprised'.
DOWNING STREET BABIES
Tony Blair was the first sitting PM to have a child in 150 years when his youngest son Leo was born in May 2000 (above).
Before him, Lord John Russell, Prime Minister from 1846 to 1852 (below), was the last to have a child in office - his fifth son Francis in 1849.
Cherie took time off work and called in her mother Gale Booth to help after their fourth child's arrival.
The flat above Number 10 was renovated to allow the family - who lived in Number 11 - more room.
Gordon Brown, then Chancellor, agreed to move out and it was renovated into a day nursery and room for a nanny.
Mr Brown now lives at Number Ten with his two young sons John, six, and Fraser, four, who has cystic fibrosis. He has always kept them out of the public eye.
The Browns lost their first child, Jennifer Jane, in 2001. She was born prematurely and died 10 days later after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
But he added: 'We knew one day someone might remember them. We were hoping they would never appear, but they have. These things happen.'
News of the pregnancy comes days after Mr Cameron said his wife would be his 'secret weapon' in the election campaign and take on a much more prominent role.
She gave her first ever public interview last week in a special one-hour ITV show with Trevor McDonald and said her husband had never let her down.
Her appearance was later credited with giving the Tories a bounce in the polls, after weeks of narrowing leads over Labour.
Mr Cameron had made no secret of his desire to add to his family.
Only a week ago, when asked if he would like more children, he said: 'If the stork drops one off.'
In December, after meeting a nine-hour-old baby in a maternity unit, he told reporters: 'It makes me want another one.'
And last September, he said: 'I don't believe Britain is over-populated.
'I don't have any plans to reduce it. I would quite like to add to it, personally, by quite possibly one, at some stage in the future'.
Mrs Cameron would have to juggle looking after the new baby with being the Prime Minister's wife and her job as creative director of upmarket stationers Smythson if the Tories win power in May.
She currently works four days a week at the stationers, where she has been credited for helping to reinvent the once fusty brand.
Family man: The Camerons with Elwen, Nancy and Ivan in 2007
SamCam - a very modern mother
Elegant and calm, Samantha Cameron has brought some glamour to the Conservative Party since her husband became leader five years ago.
But she is far from a politician's trophy wife, having held down a highly-successful career of her own and juggled being a mother in difficult circumstances.
The couple's first child Ivan was born in 2002 with a rare combination of cerebral palsy and chronic epilepsy.
The family home was designed around his needs and the Camerons won admiration for taking a full share of his demanding childcare regime.
Daughter Nancy was born in 2004 and son Arthur Elwen in 2006.
Ivan was in and out of hospital throughout his life. Classed as a quadriplegic, he could not crawl, walk or talk. He died in February 2009.
Expanding family: David and Samantha Cameron at the Tory party conference last autumn
Samantha, the daughter of a baronet and a descendant of King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwynn first met her future husband when she was 16.
He was the older brother of her best friend Clare and they met again several years later in Italy. They married in 1996.
Samantha studied fine art at Bristol University where she is said to have played pool with the city's trendiest 'trip hop' DJ Tricky.
She also has a dolpin tattoo on her ankle, after deciding to go for one 'on a whim' while holidaying in Bali.
The 38-year-old has worked at Smythson since 1996, bringing fashion flair to the upmarket stationer.
She has introduced quirky designs and brightly-coloured leather goods as well as a range of hugely popular handbags, one of which is named after daughter Nancy.
Her bohemian style combined with her aristocratic roots has proved a winning formula and last year she won the Glamour magazine's accessories designer award.
She earns significantly more than her husband's £130,000-a-year salary, and is believed to have been awarded a bonus of £300,000 when Smythson was taken over in 2005.
The company was sold again at the end of last year, earning the Tory leader's wife a reported payout of £50,000.
Despite being regarded as the most modern of Tory wives, Mrs Cameron has made it clear she intends to follow the 'Denis Thatcher' model of political spouse, taking a supportive, background role.
'I’m not an all-singing, all-dancing political wife,' she once said. 'There isn’t the time.'
However, her husband has described her as his 'secret weapon' in this year's election campaign - which has seen all three main leaders' wives go more public.
Mrs Cameron gave her first public TV interview just days ago, talking about her family life.
And her husband has revealed how she had decided she wanted to play a more active part in the campaign, appearing around twice a week when it gets under way.
dailymail.co.uk
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