David Cameron

David Cameron is a Conservative politician and former Prime Minister; since 2023 he has served as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, following his return to government as Foreign Secretary.

Political career

David William Donald Cameron was born in 1966 and educated at Eton College, before studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Brasenose College, Oxford. His early career was shaped by work in Conservative political circles and in public affairs, including time at the Conservative Research Department and later in the media and communications field. He became known as part of the party’s modernising wing, often associated with a more centrist, pragmatic style than that of some earlier Tory leaders.

Cameron entered Parliament in 2001 as MP for Witney, a seat in Oxfordshire that he held until 2016. His rise within the party was rapid: he entered the frontbench and built a reputation as a polished communicator. In 2005, after Michael Howard stepped down, Cameron won the leadership contest and became Leader of the Conservative Party. He positioned himself as the face of a younger, reformist Conservative Party, emphasising environmental concern, social reform and a break with some of the party’s more combative tones.

At the 2010 general election, Cameron led the Conservatives back into government, though without an outright majority. He then formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He remained Prime Minister until 2016, winning a larger but still limited majority at the 2015 general election. His premiership was defined by austerity-era fiscal policy, constitutional questions, and ultimately the decision to hold the EU referendum in 2016. After the Leave victory, he resigned as Prime Minister.

In a striking return to frontline politics, Cameron was appointed Foreign Secretary in 2023 by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He served in the role until 2024, dealing with major international crises including the war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East, before leaving office. He then took the courtesy title Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, reflecting his place in the House of Lords.

Relationship with the public

Cameron developed a public image as a well-spoken, socially assured, and media-savvy leader, often presented as a modern Conservative who could appeal beyond the party’s traditional base. Early in his leadership, this helped him project competence and reassurance after a difficult period for the Conservatives. His style was frequently described as more polished and approachable than that of many predecessors.

His relationship with the electorate was mixed. Many voters saw him as composed and capable, particularly during the 2010–2015 coalition years, when he was associated with economic stabilisation after the financial crisis. However, critics on the left often viewed him as representing established privilege, while some Conservatives believed he was too willing to compromise, especially in coalition and on issues such as Europe and social liberalism.

The media often focused on his background and manner as much as his policy record. He was both praised for clarity and criticised for appearing detached from some working-class concerns. The nickname “chumocracy” and later controversies around wealth, elite networks and the Panama Papers episode affected perceptions of him, reinforcing arguments that he was at ease with establishment politics. Even so, he remained an effective communicator and an influential public figure long after leaving Downing Street.

Positions and political profile

Cameron is generally identified with One Nation Conservatism, fiscal restraint, institutional pragmatism and a willingness to adopt some socially liberal positions. As leader, he worked to make the Conservatives look more compassionate and environmentally conscious, and he supported measures such as same-sex marriage, which marked him out as a modernising Tory. He also placed emphasis on deficit reduction and public spending discipline after 2010.

His premiership was shaped by the coalition with the Liberal Democrats and the politics of austerity. Supporters argue that he helped restore economic credibility after the 2008 financial crisis and led a government that preserved stability through a difficult period. Critics argue that austerity had severe social consequences, particularly for public services and local government. That debate continues to define assessments of his domestic record.

The defining decision of Cameron’s career was his pledge to renegotiate Britain’s EU relationship and then hold the Brexit referendum in 2016. He campaigned to remain in the EU, but after the electorate voted to leave, he resigned. This is the central event by which he is now remembered: as the Prime Minister who tried to settle the European question through a referendum, and whose strategy instead triggered a major constitutional and political rupture.

Inside the Conservative Party, Cameron is seen in divergent ways. Some regard him as the last successful electoral moderniser of the party; others blame him for deepening divisions over Europe and for pursuing a brand of conservatism that failed to satisfy either the traditionalist or populist wings. Outside the party, he is often assessed as a capable administrator and communicator whose premiership was ultimately overtaken by Brexit.

Frequently asked questions

Who is David Cameron? David Cameron is a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016 and, more recently, as Foreign Secretary from 2023 to 2024.

Why did David Cameron resign as Prime Minister? He resigned after the 2016 EU referendum, when the electorate voted for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union; he had campaigned for Remain.

What was David Cameron’s political style? His style was generally modernising, pragmatic and media-conscious, with an emphasis on making the Conservative Party appear more inclusive and electorally broad-based.

What are David Cameron’s main political achievements? Supporters point to economic recovery after the financial crisis, a reduced deficit, same-sex marriage legislation, and winning the 2015 general election. Critics challenge the social and regional effects of austerity.

Was David Cameron part of a coalition government? Yes. From 2010 to 2015, he led a Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government with Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister.

What is David Cameron doing now? He is no longer in the Commons; he holds the title Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton and remains a public figure associated with foreign and domestic Conservative politics.