Portrait of David Cameron
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David Cameron on Boris Johnson

Critical former PM (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

David Cameron expressed significant reservations about Boris Johnson's character and key policy decisions, particularly regarding Brexit.

Key Points

  • He expressed "misgivings" about Boris Johnson's plan to unilaterally breach part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement through legislation in September 2020.

  • He suggested that Johnson possesses a unique latitude, stating Johnson can "get away with things that mere mortals can't seem to."

  • He countered a claim from Johnson that Cameron had threatened to “f***” him up forever if he backed Leave in the 2016 referendum, stating "recollections differ."

Summary

David Cameron has expressed notable concern regarding Boris Johnson’s actions and character, particularly after his own resignation following the 2016 EU referendum. Cameron has publicly critiqued his successor's approach to governance and the media, suggesting Johnson has a unique ability to avoid accountability, stating he has "always been able to get away with things that mere mortals can't seem to." This assessment comes amidst Johnson's controversial handling of Brexit, which Cameron had campaigned to prevent.

The relationship between the two figures has been complex, notably explored in a 2009 docudrama examining their shared history from their time at Eton and Oxford. More recently, Cameron voiced significant disquiet over Johnson’s proposal to breach international law via the Internal Market Bill, saying that breaking an international treaty obligation should be an "absolute final resort" and that he had "misgivings" about the move. Furthermore, Cameron dismissed Johnson's claim that Cameron had threatened him over Brexit, noting that "recollections differ" when addressing the allegation.

Frequently Asked Questions

David Cameron's main criticism centers on Boris Johnson's character and his actions in office, particularly regarding adherence to international law and agreements. He suggested that Johnson often avoids consequences for actions that others would be held accountable for. This stems from their long and complex political relationship preceding Johnson's premiership.

Yes, his stance has become distinctly more critical since the 2016 referendum which Johnson championed. While they had a shared past documented in a 2009 film, Cameron has since voiced strong objections to Johnson’s governance style and specific policies like the Internal Market Bill.

The former Prime Minister suggested that Johnson may have been trying to "bypass the media" by using professional in-house photographers for official announcements. He maintained that leaders must remain available for important interviews and press conferences, which he stated he never sought to avoid.