Cam: This is Ivan

The Sun ^

[UKrepublican]

Cam: This is Ivan

DOTING dad David Cameron was seen for the first time by voters last night playing with his disabled son.

The Tory leader was filmed feeding Ivan, five — who has a rare form of cerebral palsy.

A TV crew was allowed in as the family had breakfast at home. Mr Cameron’s daughter Nancy, four, and son Arthur, two, sat on either side of him.

See David Cameron at home in our slideshow, below.

He admitted the move would spark accusations he was exploiting his kids for political gain. But he insisted he was a family man with nothing to hide.

He said: “You have to do what you are comfortable with. If you are trying to produce policies, people want to know about you — what makes you tick, your life.

“That’s natural. Politicians can sometimes look a bit apart from everyone else.”

Mr Cameron was seen offering his children a choice of Shreddies or Cheerios cereal on ITV News. Wife Samantha helped serve breakfast wearing jeans, red flat pumps and a trendy red top. Viewers got a glimpse of their smart kitchen and lounge in Notting Hill, West London.

Ivan’s condition became known days after he was born — and he needs 24-hour care.

Mr Cameron has told Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs: “We noticed he was having these very strange movements — sudden jerky movements.

“Initially we were told he was fine. Then we went to hospital and were told he had a very rare condition, a combination of epilepsy and cerebral palsy.”

PM Gordon Brown has rarely been seen with his own children John, four, and Fraser, 20 months — who suffers from cystic fibrosis.

He and wife Sarah have decided never to talk about his condition. But he once opened his heart to Sky News about the death of his premature baby daughter Jennifer Jane.

Mr Cameron let in the cameras as he prepared to unveil new flexible parental leave laws tomorrow. A Tory government would give all new parents a year of time off to share, he will say.

Mums and dads will be able to take six months together or split it between them. The first 14 weeks after birth would automatically go to the mum.

Tories vowed the move would not cost employers or the state more than current rules — where parents must take leave one after the other.

Mr Cameron said: “I want to make this country more family friendly.

“We’re not going to solve the problems of obesity, drugs, alcohol or educational underperformance unless we help families to do their great work.”

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne last night praised his boss over the film. On the BBC’s Question Time he said: “There is massive public interest in the leader of the Opposition.”

[UKrepublican]

Can only say fair play to David Cameron. Personally, I'm not a big fan of his politics - although after shifting to the left for the first year he has certainly moved back to the right over the last year or so which is pleasing.

Ordinarily, I'm not even a fan of David Cameron - the person, but you forget - he is first a devoted father to his children, and it can be exceptionally difficult when one of your children is severely disabled, not withstanding the fact he is leader of the opposition.

[SevenofNine]

I don’t think that political ploy he happen to be a father of disabled child

THAT ALL SHUT UP UK SUN

[MaryFromMichigan]

PM Gordon Brown has rarely been seen with his own children John, four, and Fraser, 20 months — who suffers from cystic fibrosis.


Cystic fibrosis is a very serious disease.
My younger sister died from it.
And to have another child with cerebral palsy and another die from prematurity!
Those poor parents have my prayers!

[UKrepublican]

Indeed.

For all his faults - he has endured a certain ammount of tradgedy. His first born child, was premature and died after little over a week. I think it was about 5 or so years ago.