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Cameron was educated at [[Eton College]], which is generally regarded as Britain's most prestigious private school, and at [[Brasenose College]], [[Oxford University|Oxford]].

Cameron was educated at [[Eton College]], which is generally regarded as Britain's most prestigious private school, and at [[Brasenose College]], [[Oxford University|Oxford]].

Though he has described himself as "upper middle class", Cameron is sometimes perceived as an aristocratic figure (or a "toff", in informal British English). He has the most upper-class family background of any Conservative leader since [[Alec Douglas-Home]], who retired as leader in 1965. Most intervening leaders have been middle-class ([[Edward Heath]], [[Margaret Thatcher]]) or even working-class ([[John Major]]).

Though he has described himself as "upper middle class", Cameron is sometimes perceived as an aristocratic figure (or a "toff", in British English). He has the most upper-class family background of any Conservative leader since [[Alec Douglas-Home]], who retired as leader in 1965. Most intervening leaders have been middle-class ([[Edward Heath]], [[Margaret Thatcher]]) or even working-class ([[John Major]]).

==Political career==

==Political career==

Cameron has attempted to move the Conservative party towards what is perceived by some to be the centre ground of British politics. While the party under his leadership has expressed support for some traditional elements of Conservative policy, such as the importance of the [[family]], Cameron has also expressed a passionate concern about [[global warming]], given strong support to Britain's socialized healthcare system, the [[National Health Service|NHS]], and spoken sympathetically of the emotional needs of young people who become involved in crime (a stance lampooned with the slogans "hug a hoodie" and "love a lout").

Cameron has attempted to move the Conservative party towards what is perceived by some to be the centre ground of British politics. While the party under his leadership has expressed support for some traditional elements of Conservative policy, such as the importance of the [[family]], Cameron has also expressed a passionate concern about [[global warming]], given strong support to Britain's socialized healthcare system, the [[National Health Service|NHS]], and spoken sympathetically of the emotional needs of young people who become involved in crime (a stance lampooned with the slogans "hug a hoodie" and "love a lout").

Some traditional Conservatives, particularly those on the [[Thatcherism|Thatcherite]] wing of the party, have criticized Cameron for moving the party too far to the left. They point to surveys showing that many voters feel they no longer know what the Conservative Party stands for.[http://www.yougov.com/archives/pdf/TEL060101018_1.pdf] Some have gone so far as to claim that true conservatism is today represented in Britain not by the Conservative Party but by the [[UK Independence Party]]. On the other hand, the approval ratings of Cameron and his party continue to compare favourably with those of the [[Labour Party]] and its leadership, although public opinion in Britain is shown to be slightly more in favour of [[Gordon Brown]]. There is some debate about how the Conservative party would fare should [[Gordon Brown]] call a general election in the autumn.

Some traditional Conservatives, particularly those on the [[Thatcherism|Thatcherite]] wing of the party, have criticized Cameron for moving the party too far to the left. They point to surveys showing that many voters feel they no longer know what the Conservative Party stands for.[http://www.yougov.com/archives/pdf/TEL060101018_1.pdf] Some have gone so far as to claim that true conservatism is today represented in Britain not by the Conservative Party but by the [[UK Independence Party]]. On the other hand, the approval ratings of Cameron and his party continue to compare favourably with those of the Labour Party and its leadership.

Cameron has said: "My aim is to promote social justice, making sure that everyone has access to good schools, good healthcare and decent housing, take a lead in ending global poverty and do all we can to meet the great environmental threats of our age."[http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=david.cameron.about.page]

Cameron has said: "My aim is to promote social justice, making sure that everyone has access to good schools, good healthcare and decent housing, take a lead in ending global poverty and do all we can to meet the great environmental threats of our age."[http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=david.cameron.about.page]