Most political leaders are divisive. Those who are adored by their base also tend to be bitterly despised by their opponents (Barack Obama, Jeremy Corbyn, Margaret Thatcher, Donald Trump). But there are also lots of politicians who were never revered during their time in office – who couldn’t ever have been described as having ‘fans’, exactly – who still split opinion. 

David Cameron is one such politician. Last year, a poll by YouGov showed that a slight majority of Britons would prefer the former Conservative prime minister to be in charge if it was a choice between him and Theresa May. But many others, who resent Cameron for calling the EU referendum in 2016 and then resigning when it didn’t go his way, are filled with rage at the mere mention of his name.

For these people, it is particularly galling that Cameron is currently gearing up to publish his memoirs. On 11 April, publisher HarperCollins confirmed that it would still be releasing Cameron’s autobiography this autumn, contrary to reports that it would be delayed due to the extended Brexit deadline. 

Author Marian Keyes is among those who aren’t particularly thrilled that Cameron is set to profit from his memoirs, which he sold to HarperCollins for a reported £800,000 in 2016.

“On the subject of terrible men I’m ENRAGED that that idiotic posh-boy, a mashup of jolly japes, pigs’ heads and world class narcissism, is publishing his autobiography,” Keyes wrote on Twitter.

“Has he no shame? (Answer: No.)”

Cameron sold his book shortly after resigning as prime minister and stepping down as an MP, which he said he did to avoid being a “distraction” to Theresa May. He reportedly also promised May that he would not publish his autobiography until after Britain had left the EU, so as not to “rock the boat”.

As a result, there was speculation that the publication date for Cameron’s memoir would change after May secured another extension to the Brexit deadline. The UK is now set to leave the EU on 31 October.

However, HarperCollins has insisted that it will be sticking to its autumn 2019 release date. Ahead of the book’s publication, Cameron is expected to embark on a nationwide publicity tour as well as speaking dates in the US.

The memoir is as yet untitled, but Keyes had a suggestion.

“What will it be called?” she said. “I Fucked Up Great Britain Because I was Scared of Boris?” 

Images: Getty