John McCain on David Cameron

30 September 2006

In this exclusive interview, the Republican presidential front-runner tells Matthew d’Ancona why he is speaking at the Conservative conference, and says that Cameron has the youth, exuberance and determination to be a Tory JFK

Diminutive but bullish in build, the Senator warms to his theme as an aide brings in mineral water. ‘It’s very obvious to me that what Mr Cameron is trying to do is what I’ve been trying to do: preserve your base principles and philosophies, but also see how you can shape those policies to attract what is viewed as the independent voter, or the great middle of the British electorate. For example, in the United States our Republican party basically [has] written off the state of California in the last several elections. Governor Schwarzenegger has just proved that California can be put in play. That’s what I see Mr Cameron and his cadre of very bright young people doing.’

Sen. McCain singles out for praise the young Tory he knows best, George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, who introduced him to Michael Gove, another close confidant of the leader, over coffee at the House of Commons in November.

‘I’m not young anymore, as Maurice Chevalier used to sing in Gigi,’ says the 70-year-old Senator, who in spite of his shock of white hair could pass for a much younger man. ‘But when I look at this band of young Conservatives I am thrilled, because I’ve spent a lot of my time now trying to encourage a group of younger conservatives in this party: Lindsey Graham, John Sununu [the Senator for New Hampshire] and several others that I see as the next generation. So it makes me thrilled and honoured to come over and address a party that is obviously on a comeback.’

On the morning that we meet, he has been speaking to Ed Llewellyn, Mr Cameron’s chief of staff. ‘I’ve met most of them,’ he says. ‘They’re young. They’re exuberant. They’re optimistic. They believe there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome.’