David Cameron

I know all too well from my own experience caring for our dear son, Ivan, that for millions of patients living with rare diseases and their families, time matters. Too often patients and their loved-ones face years of uncertainty, worry and heartache, with few or no treatment options available to them. Today’s announcement from @MHRAgovuk is an important and hopeful step towards changing that, while helping the UK become a powerhouse of drug development for genetic and rare diseases. By recognising the unique challenges of developing and delivering rare disease treatments to patients, and the need for an innovative, nimble and adaptable regulatory approach, the UK is showing real international leadership, building on the success of @GenomicsEngland and the 100k Genomes Project, both of which I launched as Prime Minister. Through my work with the @OHRareDisease Centre, we see every day the extraordinary potential of scientific innovation to transform lives. What patients and families need now is a system that can move with the same urgency as the science.

I’m proud to lead the Advisory Council at @OHRareDisease, a global leader in the development of life-changing treatments for rare diseases. It was inspiring to attend the Harrington Scientific Symposium this week to support the enormous progress being made youtube.com/watch?v=1cjL-1…

I am deeply disturbed by the appalling attack on @Hatzola. I have seen for myself their inspiring work - volunteers working alongside the emergency services in providing a vital medical and ambulance response to the whole community. This horrific antisemitic attack is shameful.

As someone who has had a prostate cancer diagnosis, I know how important it is to make sure men get diagnosed early and receive the right treatments - so I couldn’t agree more with @RishiSunak and the campaign for a national targeted screening programme. dailymail.co.uk/debate/article…

On #RareDiseaseDay I can’t help but think of our darling Ivan who died 17 years ago, almost to the day. But in my role at @OHRareDisease, I’m also filled with great hope and excitement at the tremendous strides being made to find new treatments and cures. telegraph.co.uk/gift/4b4f2356e…

Not all stories end the way they should. Every 3 minutes, dementia steals a happily ever after. Only through research can we change how the story ends. As President of @AlzResearchUK, I'm proud to support the #ChangeTheEnding campaign. youtu.be/gQVkNVPm2J0 #ForACure

I am appalled at the politically motivated prosecution and sentence handed down to Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, following his National Security trial. This is an affront to freedom of speech and to China’s commitments made under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. I join the UK Government in calling on Hong Kong’s authorities to release Jimmy Lai and end his ordeal. China must know that the world is watching - we stand with Jimmy Lai and the people of Hong Kong.

With Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Central Europe continues to be front & centre of geopolitical events. So it was a pleasure to speak at @AspenInstCE’s Annual Conference in Prague about global disruption & security - & to see my good old friend, former PM Mirek Topolánek

So it's tragic that the Government is now undermining the changes we made and slamming the brakes on the Free Schools programme. The House of Lords will be debating the changes this week - we should tell the Government to think again. telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/0…

I'm very proud of the school reforms we put in place after 2010, building on good work by Tony Blair that we had supported in Opposition. And then, with Free Schools, we went much further. The results are in and their success is clear.

Given the current geopolitical turbulence, there could not have been a more appropriate time to teach my course, 'Practicing Politics in the Age of Disruption’, this month at @NYUAbuDhabi. While it's easy to be depressed about the news right now, I returned from the UAE with optimism having been able to teach a class of such bright, engaged, discerning students, representing eight countries. With future leaders like them, there is hope.

Licensed Alzheimer’s treatments now exist, but there's still more to do before we find a 'statin for the brain'. @AlzResearchUK’s Drug Discovery Institutes are working on the vital search for new treatments. Inspiring to see their work firsthand at @NDMOxford

Last week, the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre convened its Advisory Council in Oxford to reflect on a year of progress and to set priorities for 2026. Read more: tinyurl.com/5c2kwcny

It was one of the greatest honours as PM to work so closely with our amazing Armed Forces. So it was a privilege to speak to those completing the Advanced Command and Staff Course at @DefAcUK - from both the UK and our allies - as they embark on the next stages of their careers.

Great to return to the UAE and take part in @ADFinanceWeek to discuss how we ensured the UK became a global leader in FinTech; why we need to continue championing that cause; and how the UK and Europe can get back on a path to growth and prosperity. #ADFW2025

20 Years!! Two decades on, I remain incredibly grateful to everyone who helped back in 2005 and to all those who supported me - and the @Conservatives - through the 2010 and 2015 elections, and during our time in office. With your help we changed our party to serve as a modern, compassionate Conservative Party that truly represented our country. Thank you!

Spot on. telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/2…

I am disappointed by today’s recommendation on prostate cancer screening from the National Committee. Targeted screening is a natural first step - but the recommendation today is far too targeted, not including black men or men with a family history, both high-risk groups. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among British men. We are letting down too many men if we don’t push for a wider screening programme that includes all high-risk groups - and not just the men involved, but their families too, who risk losing a loved one unnecessarily. As I know all too well, prostate cancer can be symptomless early on. That’s why screening is so essential - catching the cancers early when they can be more effectively and successfully treated, like in my own case. I urge @wesstreeting and the government to be brave and bold on this crucial issue. Make the first step more significant than what’s being recommended. Put in place a proper, targeted screening programme that involves all those at higher-risk. Without it, more men will die, more families will lose a loved one. This is avoidable and can be done.

The words you never forget: “I’m afraid it could be cancer”. On hearing this news - affected deeply by my brother’s premature death - I acted quickly & was lucky. So today I’m adding my name to the campaign calling for a prostate cancer screening programme. thetimes.com/life-style/hea…

Delighted to announce the next round of @OHRareDisease international Scholars - all working on potential breakthroughs for rare diseases. Each will receive funding and professional support with the aim of taking promising discoveries from academic labs into clinical practice. Behind every rare disease is a person, a family and a story of resilience. By bringing together the best of academia and cutting-edge medical research, with life sciences, pharma, philanthropy and venture capital from around the world, we can achieve transformational results, closing the gap between research and drug development and turning hope into the reality of new treatments for patients and their families. These awards are an important step toward achieving our mission of 40 new treatments for rare diseases within a decade.