ED Vaizey, the Tory MP for Wantage & Didcot, is missing his party's annual conference this week because of the birth of his first child.

Joseph Vaizey was born weighing 6lbs 13oz in Chelsea & Westminster Hospital last week meaning Mr Vaizey - one of David Cameron's so-called trusted "inner circle" - will miss his Mr Cameron's first conference as leader in Bournemouth this week.

But as the Tories traditionally hold their conferences in the first week of October, Mr Vaizey will be free to attend in future years - and not use his son's birthday as an excuse.

He joked: "I will not be at this year's conference - and Alex is absolutely delighted with her timing.

"Every year she could have said (to Joseph) 'I'm sorry, Daddy will not be at your birthday - he's at the party conference'."

In February this year, after Mr Cameron's wife Samantha had given birth to the couple's third child, Mr Vaizey took a punt on what it might be called.

He said: "I'm putting my money on Dougal. After all, Cameron is a good Scottish name and this might help win back some Scottish votes."

He was, of course, named Arthur.

However, the Vaizey's resisted the urge to name their first born similarly.

Mr Vaizey added: "Joseph is a lovely name and has a certain ring to it.

"It is not a family name, but we have since been told his great great grandfather was called Joseph.

"Alex has taking to motherhood like a duck to water and I have realised I've absolutely no role to play at all - apart from fetching things for mother and baby."