David Cameron this week achieved his ambition of being named prime minister - albeit only in a slip of the tongue by the BBC's political editor. George Osborne was on the same day coincidentally crowned "chancellor" by the holder of the same journalistic job at ITN.
The gaffes reflect the sheer weight of expectation on the duo who lead the Conservative party. The keys to 10 Downing Street appear tantalisingly within their grasp. Voters disillusioned with the 12-year-old Labour administration have turned against Gordon Brown, prime minister. The Tories are enjoying a consistent double-digit percentage point lead in the opinion polls, with eight months at most to a general election. Barring a significant upset, Mr Cameron, who celebrated his 43rd birthday yesterday, will be running Britain by this time next year.
