THE man who could be the next American president has endorsed David Cameron's leadership, describing him as “my friend.”Senator John McCain, a Republican with ideological differences to George W.

By Graham Dines

THE man who could be the next American president has endorsed David Cameron's leadership, describing him as “my friend.”

Senator John McCain, a Republican with ideological differences to George W. Bush, is his party's frontrunner to win the nomination for the 2008 presidential elections.

The 69 year-old senator told Tory delegates in Bournemouth: “I am very pleased to observe personally the unity, confidence, and principled sense of purpose that distinguish British conservatives under the leadership of my friend David Cameron.”

The former prisoner of war in North Vietnam said he was pleased to notice so many young faces at the conference, a new generation of Conservatives offering Britain “fresh ideas.”

Senator McCain, who spoke for 45 minutes, said he was greatly encouraged and proud to see his fellow Conservatives in Britain “under David Cameron's very able and determined leadership, stand up to stake your claim for leadership with honesty, courage and resolve.”

He told Tory delegates that soldiers alone could not win the peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it was right to “take up the challenge of defending our values” from the “hateful ideology that abhorred them.”

It did not mean that the US and UK had to risk lives and resources needlessly, lurching ineffectually from one crisis to another. But it did mean that they should defend their interests and values with effective military power when necessary.

“Strength and courage should be the qualities of our state statecraft. We should make our way in this complex and dangerous world as we did in the great challenges of the last century - sure of ourselves, firm in our purpose and proud of our heritage.”