Condolences to the Camerons

I haven't been speaking much of foreign affairs outside of Iraq in the past year but I cannot let the death of Ivan Cameron pass without comment. Ivan was the the six year old son of British Conservative Party Leader David Cameron and his wife Samantha.

Ivan suffered from severe progressive neurological conditions including epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have allowed the press into their family's home quite a bit since he became leader of the Conservative Party. That, despite some early criticism, has served to educate Britons about Ivan, the conditions Ivan suffered from, what it takes to for parents to raise a child with such needs and the man who wants someday to lead Great Britain.

Children with Ivan's condition rarely survive childhood but Ivan's sudden death on Thursday morning still came as a shock to the Camerons as well as all of Great Britain.

We can only offer the Camerons our condolences and prayers in this time of need.

Though rivals, I think it was rather classy of Prime Minister Gordon Brown to cancel Prime Minister's Questions yesterday in light of this tradgedy. He has himself lost a child so he, no doubt, understands better what the Camerons are going through than some of us can. Here are his words in Parliament yesterday:

Rest in peace, Little Ivan.

Comments welcome,

Pat McGovern

It's got electoral votes. It's what politicians crave.