David Cameron - Copyright Steve Meddle / REX

Mr Cameron was asked what he thought about Jesus’ command to sell all we have and give it to the poor by a member of the public at an event in the Chilterns, and appeared briefly stumped by the question. He responded by saying that he was a Christian and a member of the Church of England, but that he sometimes struggled with some of Christ’s instructions.

The Prime Minister said: ‘What I think is so good about Jesus’ teachings is there are lots of things that you can still apply very directly to daily life.’ He continued that he found the particular command mentioned by his questioner (Jesus’ instruction to the rich young man in Matthew 19, Mark 10 and Luke 18) ‘more difficult’. Mr Cameron said that while Christianity could not be treated ‘like pick ’n’ mix’, its strength lay in its ‘moral guidance’. ‘You can find moral guidance from other sources,’ he said, ‘but it’s not a bad handbook.’