IT was not a bad first day for the new leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron. Not a bad day at all.

His calm, measured performance during Prime Minister's questions was an impressive debut. He lived up to his promised restraint - his lurch away from Punch and Judy politics - yet still landed effective blows, notably telling Tony Blair that "he was the future once".

Bringing back former leader William Hague makes eminent sense. The Richmond MP is a parliamentary performer of undoubted quality and, having made his millions from his speaking engagements and book tours, it is time to get back to his real business.

Mr Hague was unfortunate to be party leader at the wrong time, but is respected on both sides of the political divide as a heavyweight who was able to push Tony Blair all the way in Commons exchanges.

His return to the front benches, as shadow foreign secretary, is another signal that the Tories may finally be ready to provide meaningful opposition.

We sincerely hope so because that is what the country badly needs - in both the national and local political arenas.

These are, of course, extremely early days. Mr Cameron has got off to a solid start but he has a marathon to run.

And no-one knows how to last the pace better than a Labour leader who has pulled off three general election victories.