The Cameron Years

With unprecedented access to David Cameron himself, and drawing on the testimony of leading allies and critics from his close team, party, and coalition partners, the Cameron Years charts David Cameron’s prime ministerial career, from his rise to power as a young leader and his time in office, to the legacy he has left.

Cameron led the first peacetime coalition government since the Second World War, before unexpectedly winning the General Election in 2015 to form a Conservative majority government. He then triggered the biggest political earthquake for decades by holding a referendum on the back of an election campaign promise.

Now, for the first time in this two-part documentary series, the former Prime Minister speaks candidly about his recollections and his time in power.

The first episode begins by examining how David Cameron went from riding high following his successful 2015 election campaign, to offering his own resignation to the British public on the steps of Downing Street just over a year later.

The film begins by exploring twin pressures on the PM to make his fateful commitment to a referendum in 2013: first, a growing Euroscepticism, both within the Conservative party and the nation at large, which was putting increasing strain on his leadership; and secondly, the impact of the Eurozone crisis, which set Britain on a collision course with European politicians intent on shoring up their fragile shared currency.

Cameron, against the advice of his friend and Chancellor George Osborne, his Chief Whip, and Coalition partners, became convinced that pledging a renegotiation and referendum was necessary to resolve the increasing instability of Britain’s place in Europe.

After leading his party to a surprise electoral victory in 2015 which saw him win an all-out Conservative majority, Cameron’s renegotiation faced huge challenges from the start.

Cameron struggled to persuade his two closest allies, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson, to support the case for remaining. Finally, the film examines his struggle to stay in control of a campaign riven by party in-fighting, ‘post-truth’ politics, and strategic challenges.

Publicity contact: PS