Has Cameron become unhinged?

[Spinflight]

When asked whether he would stay on in the event of a brexit vote..

“Yes. I think it’s very important that the individual careers of individual politicians don’t get caught up in this question."

Is there anyone in the country, even those who support his campaign, who agree?

How hilariously out of touch can you be?

[LouisCK]

SHITTEST not Shortest. DYAC

[claig]

He has to put a brave face on it because if he said he would step down, the markets would rally, the pound would rise, stocks would leap and Brexit polls would go through the roof.

[Spinflight]

Yes, as I thought..

Is it just me that thinks his position on this to be, well, decidedly odd to the point of worrying?

[Globetrotter100]

Why do you think the markets would rally if he said he would step down?

[Spinflight]

Because the prime ministers first job is to instil confidence in the UK's economy.

[claig]

'Is it just me that thinks his position on this to be, well, decidedly odd to the point of worrying?'

No, he has to say this to maintain confidence otherwise people would think the government was falling apart. Boris would say the same thing in public. But what Boris is saying behind closed doors is anyone's guess.

'Why do you think the markets would rally if he said he would step down?'

Because punters would think that real positive change was on the horizon and that the old, tired, same old same old was over

[Globetrotter100]

Well, we can agree to disagree on the role of a PM, but for the sake of conversation, why would him staying that he'd step down in the event of a Brexit vote, prior to the vote, lead to a market rally?

Do you really think that would increase global investor confidence in the UK?

[Globetrotter100]

Sorry Claig, X-post.

No, I would rather expect it would have the opposite effect, based on forex, equity and capital outflow movements over the past months versus increased perceived risk of political instability and economic recession.

[claig]

I was joking, but I do think that the brighter investors would see it as an opportunity to "pile in" to the UK as the more far-sighted and wisest of them would see Cameron's resignation as a sign of hope and the end of Project Fear.

[claig]

Yes, there would be short term instability caused by uncertainty, but as soon as a new Prime Minister was in charge everything would probably improve and investors would back a positive Britain rather than a Project Fear Britain.

[claig]

Britain has been talked down by the Project Fear team and talked up by Gove and what he called the "Project Hope" side.

[Topseyt]

There are plenty of people who support Remain in general, but don't like Cameron.

If he said he would resign in the event of a Brexit win then quite possibly that might persuade some of those people (not all, granted) to switch allegiance and vote "leave" instead. He can't afford to do that, so he has to say he will stay put, whether or not that eventually happens.

I really wish this sodding referendum had never been called. Too much danger now of making a disastrous mistake, and the public tensions are very palpable.

My DD1 works in the local library in her uni holidays. The other day an elderly customer began shouting and ranting at her because a) she wouldn't reveal how she intended to vote on the grounds she felt it both unnecessary and unprofessional and b) she wouldn't promise him that she would vote "leave". The fact that it was none of his business seemed a completely alien concept to him.

I'll be glad when it is all over.

[SewSlapdash]

You do realise that not everyone loathes Cameron with quite the same venom as seems to be the required party line on Mumsnet?

[MelanieCheeks]

I'm no Cameron fan. But markets love stability and hate uncertainty. Individual investors might see opportunities, but the market as a whole will be freaked out by the total unknowns resulting from brexit. As is already being evidenced.

[chicaguapa]

I think Cameron's paying the price for blaming immigration for all the country's problems tbh. It's coming back to bite him on the arse now.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I am leave, and I think Cameron should stay to calm the waters. Although I don't think he should be on charge of the brexit deal.

[Enb76]

He's not a football coach. I think it's ridiculous that people resign when things don't go their way. Neither Clegg nor Milliband should have resigned, they left their parties in chaos, totally irresponsible. Cameron, regardless of outcome should stay until the next election. Pretty sure the Cons have a plan regardless of result, they are unlikely not to have.

[nuttymango]

I don't think that he has become unhinged but I do think that he is unhinged. I formed that opinion when he was claiming that he understand how hard it was having a disabled child whilst introducing policies that made life harder for families with disabled children.

[Winterbiscuit]

Cameron claimed he could negotiate a "reformed European Union". We've all seen how that went. Why should he also be in charge of negotiations when we leave?

chicaguapa good point.

[eyebrowse]

Given Cameron's family I don't know how he can live with himself after what has been done to education, health and the growing number of children in poverty.

However Cameron is rather mild compared with the right wing ambitions of those who would replace him who do not believe that there should be an NHS etc. These people would be active when even the leave campaign admits there will be an economic penalty for leaving

All those with children should take into account that the budget for state education is likely to be slashed after a vote leave on top of the current cuts.

However private education is also likely to be badly affected. Lots of company directors who pay fees for the children and grand children may find their companies folding. Many private schools rely on the fees of overseas pupils. Britain likely to be seen as a small backwards looking nation if leave "wins" and less attractive to potential overseas parents

[FarAwayHills]

I'm no Cameron fan but faced with the alternatives, I hope he stays.

[shinytorch2]

Have a laugh at what he was saying in late 2015 to the CBI !

[nuttymango]

He has ruined state education in this country but is possibly the lesser of the evils.

[Totallypearshaped]

To be honest, I think the uk will be well fucked if you leave the eu, Cameron or not.

Best of luck to you all anyway. It's been very interesting and let's face it, amusing watching you all tie yourselves up in myths and fairy stories from where I'm sitting, where we have referenda every day of the week.

I always say, "if you don't know, vote no". If it's important enough, and you're so inclined, you'll be asked to vote again.

The thing that has stuck out to me about the whole debate is lack of clarity, I even had to laugh as someone quoted Winston fucking Churchill as if he has anything to do with it, and if I was in the uk, I'd vote no to leave until I knew enough about it and then I'd vote stay

There's no rush to cut your noses off actually, and with a bit of real knowledge and realism, I'm sure you'll all come to your senses and get rid of Cameron, and stay in the eu.
I know Scotland would definately leave the uk to stay in the eu, as will NI and Wales would quit England too if they could, to stay in the eu, so all of you in England will be all on your own.

Of course the politicians who have offshore investments won't be affected much at all, but this one has really blown up in Cameron's face, and either way his career is over. thought he will get over it no doubt in the Bahamas with his ill gotten gains leaving the rest of you to fight over the lifeboats.

Good luck! You'll need it! Especially when you're trying to renegotiate joining the eu again... Talk about the "bad deals" you think you have now....