Like many, I was surprised to hear that David Cameron was standing down as an MP immediately, leaving the House of Commons forever. Like many, I was confused at Mr Cameron's abrupt departure despite saying he would carry on until 2020 at least. Like many, I wondered what his motives and true reasons were for exiting Parliament in such an unexpected, rushed way.
For those who are unaware, after resigning as Prime Minister, David Cameron could stay as a Member of Parliament for as long as he wished, providing he had a seat. (Given he represented the ultra safe leafy Tory seat of Witney, there was never a chance of him losing his seat) Mr Cameron could have stayed on the backbenches as a constituency only MP, served in any select committee or 'All Party Parliamentary Group' or even have entered Theresa May's government in the future. Even as an MP, he could have pursued his own interests out of Parliament while still serving his constituents. It wasn't like Mr Cameron was short of choice post-premiership. Mr Cameron states his main reason for leaving as ''becoming a big distraction'' to anything he said or did from the backbenches. I believe he staunchly disagrees with Theresa May's grammar school plans and definitely disagrees with the plans to actually leave the European Union. Neither of these plans were in his 2015 manifesto and clearly aren't policies he would want to develop. It would look very embarrassing for the government if Mr Cameron, the former Conservative Prime Minister, voted against or even abstained on these crucial votes. For the sake of party unity, even though there is clear opposition in the Tory party to both plans, and not wanting to give Labour any chance to capitalize on splits. However, Margaret Thatcher's predecessor as Tory leader, Edward Heath, disagreed with her on a whole number of issues, and that didn't stop her from winning 3 general elections. It saddens me that former Prime Ministers sometimes feel they can't 'return' to the backbenches; as if they can't imagine being without power. Both Tony Blair and David Cameron resigned straight away, not even staying on until the end of the Parliament. Maybe David Cameron was the true heir to Blair. Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Gordon Brown all resigned the Parliament after they had been ousted or rejected. Winston Churchill impressively stayed on 9 years after his premiership. But most impressive of all was Edward Heath, resigning as Prime Minister in 1974 but staying in the House of Commons until 2001. Though David Cameron did some good, this has tarnished an already damaged legacy from Brexit and his austerity measures during his premiership. How history will remember him remains to be seen.
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