David Cameron Flashcards
election victories
2010 – no overall majority, formed coalition with the Liberal Democrats which resulted in a 78 seat majority
2015 – 12 seat majority
context of rule: COALITION, PANAMA PAPERS + BREXIT
2010 coalition – won no overall majority in the Commons so formed a pact with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, resulting in the first coalition government since World War II, lasted the full 5 years and then led to a Conservative election victory in 2015, however it did constrain Cameron’s powers of patronage and ability to dictate policy
Panama Papers – in April 2016, Cameron was linked to the leaked documents known as the Panama Papers that revealed how the world’s wealthiest individuals and public officials legally evade taxes through offshore accounts, Cameron admitted to profiting from an offshore investment fund set up decades ago by Cameron’s late father although he claimed he sold his shares before becoming Prime Minister, thousands of British citizens protested calling for his resignation
Brexit – held a controversial referendum in 2016 on whether to leave the EU, the UK voted to exit the Union, around 52% voted to leave, Cameron had fought to stay and stated that he would resign, much of the public disliked him for holding the referendum and his decision to do so had the same impact as the Iraq War on Tony Blair’s premiership, growth of UKIP puts pressure on him to deal with Europe
context of rule: DIVIDED PARTY, RECESSION, WEAK MAJORITY, LIBYA + SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE
Divided party – the Conservative Party were demoralized after their three consecutive election defeats and divided over issues regarding Europe, affected his ability to become a dominant leader of a united party, eventually led to his downfall, most rebellious parliament since 1945
Recession – brought the UK out of recession and stabilised the financial system
Weak majority
Military intervention in Libya – in 2011 the United Nations Security Council approved a no-fly zone to prevent government forces carrying out air attacks on anti-Gaddafi rebels, two days later the UK and the United States fired more than 110 missiles at targets in Libya, the overthrow of Gaddafi’s government lead to a political and economic collapse in Libya and the growth of ISIL in North Africa, a select committee concluded that Cameron was ultimately responsible for this British policy failure
Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 – voted to remain in the UK, solidifies his authority
key beliefs
Seeking to modernize the party and shed its right-wing image
One Nation Conservative, Big Society – integrating the free market with social solidarity based on hierarchy and voluntarism, draws on a mix of conservative communitarianism and libertarian paternalism, more social conservatism
however, this did not gather momentum
key policies
Austerity – after the 2008 financial crisis, he made decisions to reduce the governments financial deficit but raising taxes and reducing public spending
Introduction of same sex marriage
Devolution – mainly to Scotland
Reducing taxes – for those of very high or very low incomes
Reductions in welfare benefits – to encourage people to find work
University tuition fees – sharp increase from around £3000 to £9,250 a year
EU – decided to hold a referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU to quell dissent within the party
leadership style
Problems exerting personal power – so formed a strong bond with chancellor George Osbourne and home secretary Theresa May
Preferred to keep rivals close instead of removing them from government where they could cause more trouble on the backbenches – e.g. Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith
Adopted a more collegiate style than Thatcher or Blair – partly because the coalition required regular negotiation between the Conservative and Liberal Democrats
Bilateral meetings – key decisions made between Cameron and Clegg
Limitations on authority – due to small majority, party divides, coalition, etc.
strengths and weaknesses of leadership style
Overall, came across well in the media – young, professional, etc.
Kept rivals close – prevented people like Michael Gove and Boris Johnson causing more trouble on the backbenches
EXAMPLES – demonstrating ability to dictate events and determine policy
Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 – voted to remain in the UK, solidifies his authority
Recession – brought the UK out of recession and stabilised the financial system
EXAMPLES – demonstrating inability to dictate events and determine policy
Brexit – held a controversial referendum in 2016 on whether to leave the EU, the UK voted to exit the Union, around 52% voted to leave, Cameron had fought to stay and stated that he would resign, much of the public disliked him for holding the referendum and his decision to do so had the same impact as the Iraq War on Tony Blair’s premiership, growth of UKIP puts pressure on him to deal with Europe
Divided party – the Conservative Party were demoralized after their three consecutive election defeats and divided over issues regarding Europe, affected his ability to become a dominant leader of a united party, eventually led to his downfall, most rebellious parliament since 1945
Syria – the overthrow of Gaddafi’s government lead to a political and economic collapse in Libya and the growth of ISIL in North Africa, a select committee concluded that Cameron was ultimately responsible for this British policy failure
relationship with Cabinet
The Quad – during the coalition, decision making moved from Cabinet to ‘the Quad’ who consisted of David Cameron, George Osbourne (chancellor), Nick Clegg (deputy PM) and Danny Alexander (financial secretary)
Special advisors – wanted to cut back on special advisors but ended up bringing more in rather than making collective decisions with Cabinet
Formed a strong bond with chancellor George Osbourne and home secretary Theresa May
reasons for leaving office
Brexit – held a controversial referendum in 2016 on whether to leave the EU, the UK voted to exit the Union, around 52% voted to leave, Cameron had fought to stay and stated that he would resign, much of the public disliked him for holding the referendum and his decision to do so had the same impact as the Iraq War on Tony Blair’s premiership
