Cameron wins hands down: Body language expert gives PM the thumbs up

Indeed, many seem convinced that David Cameron's exuberant gestures are a sign that he is on the ropes.

But now a leading expert on body language has revealed that when the Prime Minister splays his fingers he is actually taking charge of the debate.

And the bad news for Labour leader Ed Miliband, according to consultant Robert Phipps, is that he suffers from a "floppy forearm", which gives him a limp-wristed appearance and undermines his authority.

"I have watched Cameron for several years now and he is fairly confident with his hand gestures," said Mr Phipps, author of Body Language: It's What You Don't Say That Matters.

"His hand gestures are very similar to those used by Tony Blair and also Nick Clegg. They all convey strong leadership and passion, showing that they believe in the points they are making."

Mr Cameron's gestures include opening his hands so wide that his fingers curl backwards, and holding his fingers very stiffly. This, said Mr Phipps, is a sign of tension or passion.

Sometimes at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron makes "pushing down" motions with his splayed hands. "These palm-down gestures pretty much always mean someone is taking control of a situation and pushing down his opponents. It is the kind of gesture a parent would make to calm the situation if their children are playing up at bedtime."

Mr Cameron uses chopping actions and a "grasping" motion to reinforce his points when debating, too. A critical point, said Mr Phipps, is that his wrist remains stiff whenever he does so. "Whenever you see the hand and the forearm move as one, it is a sign that someone is making what they regard as a very serious point."

He added: "This is why Ed Miliband comes across as looking very weak from his body language. He often uses loose wrists to make his point. When you use loose wrists the hands roll on the forearms and it loses the power of the message. It comes across as friendly and appealing - but not leadership."

One commentator on Mr Cameron's hands is SteveHiltonGuru, a Twitter parody of the PM's adviser, Steve Hilton. He regularly issues a "hands alert" and bemoans the appearance of "Fake Hand Dave", and "the cornered tell", implying that Mr Cameron's hands indicate when he is bending the truth.