20 December 2010 Last updated at 15:50

Party leaders focus on family for Christmas cards

The leaders of the three big UK parties have chosen family-inspired designs for their official Christmas cards.

David Cameron's card shows the prime minister and his wife with their baby daughter outside No 10.

Similarly, Labour's Ed Miliband's festive offering is a photograph with him, his partner and their two children.

Deputy PM and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has chosen a picture of his family drawn by his two eldest sons.

Every year, politicians' choice of images are analysed for what they say about them.

This year's cards are in contrast to 2009's offerings. The Tory leader's featured a snow-covered tree alongside Big Ben in the shape of the party's logo and Gordon Brown's showed a Christmas tree decoration in the shape of No 10's door.

The image of the Camerons with their youngest child was taken on their return from holiday in Cornwall where baby Florence Rose Endellion was born.

Mr Miliband is photographed, in black and white, with his partner Justine Thornton, their elder son Daniel and baby Samuel.

Neither card has a festive greeting on the front but inside Mr Cameron's carries the message ''Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" and Mr Miliband opts for "Season's greetings".

The colourful image of the Clegg family shows the deputy PM wearing a Liberal Democrat yellow tie, holding a mobile phone.

It is the second year that the Liberal Democrat leader has used his sons' (Antonio, eight and Alberto, four) artistry to decorate his official card.

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond's official card features a painting by artist Jack Vettriano of a couple dancing.