Afternoon:
9°c
Samantha Cameron will make up to eight public appearances on the election trail, it emerged today.
The wife of the Tory leader will step into the limelight twice a week around the country, pitching her onto the frontline of the Conservative campaign.
Mrs Cameron, 38, will hit the campaign both at her husband's side and on her own. Her tour will focus on social action campaigns, where groups of volunteers improve their communities in the style of TV's Ground Force.
Details of her upgraded role emerged after David Cameron used a TV interview to announce that his wife of 14 years would be rivalling Sarah Brown at the hustings: “You're going to see a lot more of her. Britain get ready.”
A designer and creative director at stationers and leather goods firm Smythson, Mrs Cameron has avoided the limelight until now. She took time off work to campaign with her husband when he first fought a parliamentary seat unsuccessfully in 1997, but unlike Mrs Brown she does not make speeches.
Her first major outing will be on Sunday night when clips of a prerecorded interview are shown on an ITV documentary about the Tory leader.
Asked about their marriage, she tells Sir Trevor McDonald: “I can honestly say I don't think in all that time he has ever let me down.”
Mr Cameron said his wife told him only a few days ago that she wanted to do what she could to ensure he becomes Prime Minister. “She said, Tell me what I can do to help. I want to get out there'.”
Mrs Cameron will still work at Smythson during the campaign and after it, even if the family move into No 10.
Reader views (7)
I'm sure those who live on crime blighted, run-down council estates will find much empathy for their situation from the eldest daughter of Sir Reginald Adrian Berkeley Sheffield, 8th Baronet, landowner and three times a descendant from King Charles II of England.
- Graham, London, 12/03/2010 11:26
Report abuse
perhaps the tories have decided that winning this election is a poisoned chalice as whoever governs will
inevitably be hated for 'the tough decisions' on draconian cutbacks, axing public services and whatever is
deemed necessary to get team uk back in the race. therefore the prospect of a good run of two/three parliaments is inevitably jeprodised.
the wise man waits and lets the reds take yet more well deserved flack and thenceforth become outcasts and pariahs for a decade or more.
anyway, the well healed tories will continue to live high on the hogs back with their private incomes and shrewd investment teams and gloat fiercly as the noose invetiably tightens around golden brown and his conspirators past and present.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 11/03/2010 16:10
Report abuse
this must be april fool early brown and cameron's wives are nobodies it's bad enough them pair of oiks standing for parliment without their fawning wives telling us how wonderful they are
- Anon Leicester, england, 11/03/2010 15:30
Report abuse
Great news!
But what is she going to talk about and who will be forced to listen?
- George, London, 11/03/2010 15:12
Report abuse
Perhaps she can also step in for Dave on the TV election debates? I hear poor Cameron is afraid he'll get shown for his lack of experience/policies/understanding (delete as required), so it may be wise for him to take a sickie at the last minute...
- Nick, Battersea, 11/03/2010 15:07
Report abuse
I blame Brown for all of this rubbish , if he was a better Prime minister we wouldnt have to listen to the drivel tht these two will pour out,
- Brian, Wiltshire, 11/03/2010 14:12
Report abuse
I'm hoping George Osborne might invite his brother to talk in coming weeks on the dangers of drugs; Carphone Warehouse Ross can tell us about the benefits of opening up to Eastern Europe and Lord Ashcroft gives us tips on tax avoidance. Oh, and Grayling can explain how he adds up to make crime rise. It's too late for Dave, even his wife can't save him.
- Steve, London, 11/03/2010 13:33
Report abuse
