Cameron faces Westminster balancing act

David Cameron's relations with the rest of his parliamentary party will be key to his success as leader.

He is certain to receive loud cheers when he faces his first big test as party leader at prime minister's questions on Wednesday.

But MPs and other Conservative members know they have taken a gamble, putting hope before experience.

No previous modern day Tory leader has come to office without first having served in government. And nor has anyone assumed the leadership so soon after entering parliament.

As he seeks to avoid making early mistakes, the young leader will have to show vision, foresight and backbone in what is one of the toughest jobs in British politics.

And that could bring him into conflict with sections of his own backbenches.

PMQs

Ahead of tomorrow's Commons exchanges, shadow chancellor George Osborne and new MP Michael Gove are likely to be locked in the leader's office as they polish the script for Cameron's first appearance as leader.

Whilst he will have many more chances to prove his mettle, his PMQs appearance will be key if Cameron is to secure the support of MPs who backed rival candidates.

Much of the media and his own party will be looking for the usual knock-about performance, but he has previously pledged to end the 'Punch and Judy' style.

He risks either disappointing his supporters or looking inconsistent. It will be a hard balance to strike as he seeks to establish his authority.

Backbenchers

As both Michael Howard and Iain Duncan Smith have said, securing loyalty is the key test for Cameron as he takes on the Conservative leadership.

The fifth leader within eight years, and the fourth within four, must overcome the problem which has come to haunt all but one of his recent predecessors.

For a young man with no ministerial experience, this could prove to be the critical test of Cameron's character.

Despite securing the support of over 100 of his parliamentary colleagues, Cameron will have to show much political nous if he is to avoid slipping into the territory of his predecessors.

History

Since the ousting of Margaret Thatcher in 1990, the Conservative Party has been engaged in a near never-ending bout of internecine battle and soul searching.

John Major suffered a serious of ignominious assaults by his cabinet ‘bastards’. William Hague was pushed to the right by the right wing of his party after taking the leadership in the wake of the 1997 election annihilation.

The party machine moved in for the kill against Iain Duncan Smith, who suffered from terminal backbiting at the hands of his MPs.

And even Michael Howard, a man with a stern resolve and bolstered by the prospect of an impending general election, found his leadership challenged on issues such as identity cards and Iraq.

Shadow cabinet

So for Cameron the test will prove to be tough and there are some early decisions awaiting his attention as he slips behind the leader's desk at Westminster.

He has signalled there is no rush to flesh out his policy plans. Cameron must, however, ensure that he develops policy without lurching to the right.

The major challenge will involve deciding on the composing a shadow cabinet of all the talents the party possesses.

His inexperience means it will be vital for Cameron to recruit some of the Tory big beasts.

While Kenneth Clarke has been lukewarm on a return to the frontbench, William Hague appears likely to accept a senior post.

The key decision will be what position defeated leadership rival David Davis is given. If he is forced onto the backbenches, he could lead right-wing opposition to Cameron's modernising agenda.

This is an obvious mistake that Cameron is unlikely to make, however.

Another potential pitfall into which Cameron could tumble involves the disgraced peer Lord Archer. The millionaire novelist has already rejoined the Conservative Party and is seeking to resume his career at Westminster.

Cameron will have to decide whether the peer should be allowed to retake the Conservative whip in the House of Lords - with strong signals suggesting he will refuse the comeback request.

Momentum

Whatever decisions Cameron takes as leader will prove controversial.

He will seek to establish on the momentum he first generated with his party conference speech and built up through the ballots of MPs.

A flurry of activity is now likely as he seeks to ensure the media focus is on the areas that get across his message of change - as a former PR chief he should be more than adept at that.

What Cameron will be seeking to avoid is any suggestion of an early wobble that would lead to questions over whether his relative inexperience is going to prove a handicap.

Striking the right balance between firm leadership of his party and the appearance of arrogance will not be easy.

But as Tony Blair found with Labour, you do not need to make your party love you to win general elections.

The real battle, for the hearts and minds of British voters, starts today.