I'm almost thinking of voting for David Cameron after reading Doreen Davis' interview in this morning's Daily Mail - if only so she can spend more time with her husband. The interview is not online but if you visit W H Smith in search of a copy you'll get a free Christmas cartoons DVD for your troubles!
The Mail's interviewer - Rebecca Hardy - describes Mrs Davis as "painfully shy" for what is her first ever interview. "Doreen is an extraordinarily nice person, without a nasty bone in her body," Ms Hardy concludes. The interview does leave you with a real sense of affection for Mrs Davis. She clearly loves her husband very much and they have been happily married for 32 years. But the interview also gives an insight into the real sacrifices that parliamentary spouses make - particularly those who live in constituencies a long way from London. "Days go by and we don't speak on the phone," she says, "I suppose sometimes, on a bad day it can be quite lonely. There are times when he's on the phone for half the weekend as well, not taking much notice of anything else."
She says that she never worries about her husband's fidelity despite the time and distance apart: "I don't want you to misunderstand. We're as close as you can be given that half the time we're apart."
Although Mrs Davis runs her husband's constituency office she is not a very political person and attended her first Conservative Party Conference last month... for 'that speech'. She was clearly stung by the reaction it received:
"It just felt as if [the political pundits had] made up their minds beforehand and thought: 'This man is the frontrunner. We've got to make it close and exciting. Let's slam him'. I haven't read a newspaper since."
Ms Hardy's conclusion to her interview is a perfect summary of what she appears to have discovered:
"Doreen is one of life's copers who, like many women of her generation, has devoted herself to supporting her husband, raising a family and creating a home for them all. She would no doubt cope admirably if - against all the present odds - David ends up as leader of the Conservative Party. Unquestionably, that is the outcome she wishes for him. Whether she wishes it for herself is, I sense, another matter."
"I'm almost thinking of voting for David Cameron after reading Doreen Davis' interview in this morning's Daily Mail"
Oh come off it Ed, it's been mentioned that Cameron's wife is pregnant at the moment what about their families work/life balance issues and paternity leave issues next year - you saw the state Kennedy got himself into.
You've got the Blairs constantly harping on about their lack of family time and requirements for four weeks family holidays, juggling balls, and sacrifices - come on every working family would prefer more time together.
The Cameron family have got a requirement for parental care for a 'young' family with a child that requires extra care and time and hospitalisation or is it that the Cameron's can afford two nanny's if necessary.
I want this campaign to end now before it becomes a farce. I would add that Mrs Davis has coped for 32 years for goodness sakes.
Posted by: a-tracy | 15 November 2005 at 11:40
I was being tongue-in-cheek, a-tracy!
Posted by: Editor | 15 November 2005 at 11:45
If you can't stand the heat, keep out of the kitchen !
Posted by: Rick | 15 November 2005 at 11:56
"Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point, and James Clappison, MP for Hertsmere, both declared their public support for David Cameron yesterday. This takes David's publicly declared total of MPs to 111."
www.cameroncampaign.org
Posted by: michael | 15 November 2005 at 13:44
Oh Mr Clappison.......clambering aboard a passing boat are you ? How embarrassing !
Posted by: Rick | 15 November 2005 at 14:57
Such rank opportunism. It really does stink.
Posted by: Barbara Villiers | 15 November 2005 at 15:44
Clappison supported Ken Clarke in the first round. Hardly the sign of an opportunist.
Hard though it may to believe, maybe some people have been biding their time and are just making up their minds now?
Posted by: Gareth | 15 November 2005 at 15:58
Exactly Gareth. What a cynical bunch. Anyway, when the ships going down, unless you are the captain, one should make an attempt to abandon it.
Posted by: Mr P Ragmatic | 15 November 2005 at 16:04
I feel sorry for Doreen Davis here. This article does teach an important lesson about Politics as a career. It takes a lot out of you and does pull your relationship apart due to stress or not seeing the other half. I dont have that problem since I am neither an elected representative, nor married, both of the above making the world a better place!
Its certainly something for all of us to think about. Is it worth everything we hold dear to be involved in Politics?
Posted by: James Maskell | 15 November 2005 at 16:20
Well, Gareth, Clappison is hardly known for setting the world on fire and was a pretty mediocre education spokesman when in Government. I'd say Davis is better off without his sort.
Posted by: Barbara Villiers | 15 November 2005 at 20:34
"Its certainly something for all of us to think about. Is it worth everything we hold dear to be involved in Politics?"
Well, I'm not now a Party official or an elected representative, simply a member & volunteer, but it is an interesting thought for us to ponder, especially as this has been a General Election year and the memories of severe sleep deprivation are still somewhat recent.
I might be biased on this front as my GE candidate won his seat, but I can genuinely say that nothing I have done since has compared to that night. Keep working, everyone, for me it is most definitely worth it. (Am I addicted to winning? By-election candidates please call with your answer!!)
Posted by: Richard Carey | 15 November 2005 at 21:59
I think Mrs Davis is a very sympathetic figure in this article as well, though I had never thought she would be otherwise. It does soften my view of her husband just a bit reading this though.
Posted by: Alastair Matlock | 15 November 2005 at 22:48
"Clappison is hardly known for setting the world on fire"
I think that was left to another Old Boy of St Peter's York wo tried to enliven Parliament 400 years ago !
Posted by: Rick | 16 November 2005 at 06:50
So he's not an opportunist then, just no good!?
Is he too 'metrosexual' for your man Barbara or is the wrong 'sort' in some other way?
Posted by: Gareth | 16 November 2005 at 09:15
No, Gareth and sarcasm doesn't become anyone. No, he was an ineffective, colourless education minister who was just about useless - I had occasion to come into contact with him about an important educational issue. And, he didn't respond to correspondence. So, I don't think David Davis will miss his support nor will it do anything for David Cameron except to add to his numbers. Ho hum.
Posted by: Barbara Villiers | 16 November 2005 at 09:46
"Is he too 'metrosexual' for your man Barbara"
Would you care to elucidate this strange comment ? Is there something you wish to confess about Mr Clappison or is it a generalised smear through insinuation ?
Posted by: Rick | 16 November 2005 at 13:26
Calm down Rick. It's an in-joke between myself and Barbara. Nothing to do with Mr Clappison.
Posted by: Gareth | 16 November 2005 at 14:07
Barbara, I can imagine the tone of your letter to poor Mr Clappison and aren't that surprised he didn't respond.
Stop being so negative, you are casting a shadow across this entire site.
Posted by: An Ubersexual | 16 November 2005 at 14:28
No, actually, Uber, I was a desperate mother whose son's assisted place was not going to be honoured when Labour got it. With not a decent school within 10 miles I was beside myself with worry. And what was the reaction? None. No letter, no acknowledgement. No help. So now you know the story. You shouldn't make assumptions about things you know nothing about.
Posted by: Barbara Villiers | 16 November 2005 at 16:55
"Calm down Rick. It's an in-joke between myself and Barbara. Nothing to do with Mr Clappison."
So you are a barrister ? No wonder you advocate positions you don't believe in !
Posted by: Rick | 16 November 2005 at 22:23
Alone and lonely; days go by and I speak with no one and see no one
Posted by: Chloe Hardy | 20 December 2008 at 04:40
check christian louboutin outlet suprisely rxoQbjFz http://www.christianlouboutin-outletstore.org/
Posted by: CreltMen | 30 October 2012 at 14:36
Nike Air Foamposite Pro
Posted by: http://www.lakesidevillageresort.com/2012-new-jordans-13xiii-fluffy-flints-burgundy-white-sale-p-528.html | 01 October 2013 at 18:17
wkkgfogc http://www.gosckj8b8o309y8oek327042h55vl0z5s.org/
awkkgfogc
[url=http://www.gosckj8b8o309y8oek327042h55vl0z5s.org/]uwkkgfogc[/url]
Posted by: wkkgfogc | 01 October 2013 at 18:24
she'd never be considered a man eliminated not having feel bad for. Mentor caddy hand bags In addition especially not willing to carry out students, huge bangs overlaying view, was in the past section of the coast Mentor caddy hand bags Classes regarding Remedies, the authorities failed to imagine you have got colleagues goodness me!
Posted by: retro jordans for sale | 22 November 2013 at 20:58