Cameron quits: Eight things that defined ex-PM

Mr Cameron's time in politics was dominated by referendums - he won two but the third ultimately ended his political career.

Darren McCaffrey

Ireland correspondent @DMcCaffreySKY

Tuesday 13 September 2016 00:15, UK

  1. David Cameron waits to make a speech at the 2005 Conservative party conference
    Image: David Cameron was initially considered an outside shot for the Conservative leadership in 2005
  2. David Cameron with supporters during his Tory leadership campaign in October 2005
    Image: The MP for Witney with supporters, a month after announcing his leadership bid in September 2005
  3. Theresa May looks on as her predecessor speaks after being included on the Tory leadership ballot
    Image: Theresa May looks on as her predecessor speaks after being included on the leadership ballot
  4. Mr Cameron comfortably beat David Davis to become Conservative leader
    Image: Mr Cameron comfortably beat David Davis to become Conservative leader in November 2005
  5. David Cameron before his first shadow cabinet meeting in November 2005
    Image: He chaired his first shadow cabinet later that month
  6. Mr Cameron gets his hands dirty during a visit to a church in Bournemouth
    Image: Mr Cameron gets his hands dirty during a visit to a church in Bournemouth
  7. Tony Blair walks with his counterpart during the opening of Parliament in 2006
    Image: Tony Blair walks with his counterpart during the opening of Parliament in November 2006
  8. The former Tory leader visits a housing estate in Merton, south London.
    Image: The former Tory leader visits a housing estate in Merton, south London.
  9. Hitting the phones to help Boris Johnson become London Mayor in May 2008
    Image: Hitting the phones to help Boris Johnson become London Mayor in May 2008
  10. While still in opposition Mr Cameron met with US President Barack Obama
    Image: While still in opposition Mr Cameron met with US President Barack Obama
  11. Newly elected PM David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg hold their first joint press conference
    Image: Newly elected PM David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg hold their first joint press conference in May 2010
  12. Mr Cameron with Angela Merkel at the World Economic Forum a year later
    Image: Mr Cameron with Angela Merkel at the World Economic Forum a year later
  13. Mr Cameron and Boris Johnson cheer on athletes during day eight of London 2012
    Image: Mr Cameron and Boris Johnson cheer on athletes during day eight of London 2012
  14. With Russian President Vladimir Putin during an inspection of the 2014 Winter Olympic facilities
    Image: With Russian President Vladimir Putin during an inspection of the 2014 Winter Olympic facilities
  15. David Cameron took the Chinese president for a pint and some fish and chips during his UK visit
    Image: David Cameron took the Chinese president for a pint during a visit in October 2015
  16. After Britain voted to leave the EU, Mr Cameron announced his resignation
    Image: After Britain voted to leave the EU, Mr Cameron announced his resignation
  17. David Cameron waves goodbye as he leaves Downing Street with his family
    Image: The departing PM waves goodbye as he leaves Downing Street with his family
  18. David Cameron steps down as an MP
    Image: Less than three months later he says he will stand down as MP for Witney
Why you can trust Sky News

A few months ago, most of us expected David Cameron to still be Prime Minister, and of course an MP - but soon he will be neither.

As he prepares to turn 50 next month, here are eight things we will remember about the stockbroker's son who became the youngest PM for almost 200 years.

:: Referendums

With three referendums, Mr Cameron gambled three times but won only two.

The AV referendum was part of his deal with the Liberal Democrats and one he was unlikely to lose.

Not true of Scotland - at one stage a poll put the nationalists in the lead. But Mr Cameron won, allowing him to claim he helped save the Union.

But his biggest gamble on our membership of the EU failed, it lead to his downfall as Prime Minister and his resignation as an MP.  

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:: Coalition

Mr Cameron failed to win an overall majority in 2010 - extraordinary in some ways after 13 years of Labour rule.

But his failure did lead to him entering into government with the Liberal Democrats, becoming the first post-war coalition Prime Minister.

Despite early predictions of a quick collapse, the coalition managed to last the entire five-year term.

:: Cameron's Conservatism

Mr Cameron's conservatism was initially defined as "compassionate conservatism" in the vein of one-nation conservatism.

Mr Cameron pictured with his wife two months before he was elected Tory leader
Image: Mr Cameron with his wife, two months before he was elected Tory leader in 2005

"Hug a hoodie", his trip with huskies in the North Pole and his defence of NHS spending seemed to set him apart from previous leaders.

However, critics accused him of slashing welfare, leading to a rise in use of food banks and increasing inequality.

:: Foreign Interventions

Despite war fatigue following Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr Cameron proved an interventionist leader.

First, the Libya conflict brought about the death of Colonel Gaddafi but also the collapse of the country.

Mr Cameron wanted a similar intervention early in the Syrian war but lost an initial vote in Parliament. He managed to convince MPs in a second attempt last year.

:: Chillaxing Cameron

Mr Cameron always seemed able to separate work from his professional life, with reports of a man who liked playing tennis, a glass of wine and a sing song on his personal karaoke machine.

:: Cameron The Family Man

Mr Cameron was very much a family man, a father to two sons and two daughters.

David Cameron and his wife and children waving at Downing Street
Image: David Cameron and his wife and children waving outside No 10

He has spoken of his grief and pain at the death of his eldest son Ivan.

Ivan, who was severely disabled, died in 2009 at the age of six. 

:: Cameron The Conservative

Mr Cameron often had an uneasy relationship with the right of the party. Many didn't like his brand of Conservatism and he didn't like them in return.

Two of his MPs, Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless quit to join UKIP.

That, along with internal pressure from eurosceptic MPs, forced Mr Cameron to call the EU referendum. 

:: Cameron's Cock-Ups

Where to start?

From having to apologise for telling Labour's Angela Eagle to "calm down dear" at PMQs, to saying he was embarrassed and sorry after being overheard saying the Queen purred down the phone at him.

He couldn't remember his football team was Aston Villa during the election campaign and recently branded a number countries as corrupt just ahead of a sensitive summit on the subject.

And after more than 15 years as an MP, Mr Cameron's final gamble on Britain voting to stay in the EU has led to him stepping off the political stage completely.