David Cameron’s Canary Island break

David Cameron is currently enjoying a holiday in Lanzarote. The British Prime Minister and his family are easy to spot on the beaches of this Canarian island: just look for the gaggle of journalists and photographers respectfully stationed a safe distance away.

The Camerons, children Arthur, Nancy and Florence, along with his wife Samantha, are staying in a converted farmhouse close to the capital of Teguise, but have been seen out and about in the town, with minimal security arrangements, enjoying coffee at pavement cafes and eating in local restaurants.

“The nice thing is that he has chosen rural tourism rather than just heading for the beach,” says Christian, who runs the hotel. It is thought to be the Cameron's first family holiday in the Canaries, although they have visited Ibiza and Mallorca before.

The short break has been covered extensively by the British media. The Guardian believes that Cameron’s low-profile approach (the family flew out on low-cost airline Ryanair) is part of a strategy designed to make him appear more down to earth than the rest of his government, and it suggests that this image of an ordinary middle-class family man goes down well with the British electorate in the run up to next year’s general elections.

But behind the scenes, Cameron is reported to be following events in Ukraine closely, and has spoken with Downing Street every day, as well as talking by phone to Angela Merkel.