David Cameron on Brexit: the end of ‘Project Fear’?
Former PM says leaving the EU is a ‘mistake not a disaster’ in comments overheard at Davos

David Cameron has been overheard at Davos saying Brexit is a “mistake, not a disaster” - much to the glee of Brexiteers.
The former prime minister told Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal that leaving the EU had not been as catastrophic as predicted, although the process was “still going to be difficult”.
Cameron’s comments are likely to provoke merriment among his Brexit-backing former colleagues, says The Guardian.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As PM, Cameron was accused of leading “Project Fear” by describing the economic effects of the leave vote as “the gamble of the century”.
Cameron and then-chancellor George Osborne issued a string of “blood-curdling warnings” in 2016 about the potential inpact of quitting the European Union, says the Daily Mail. “Cameron claimed Brexit could lead to war and genocide in Europe, ‘put a bomb under the economy’, destroy funding for public services and lead to cuts in pensions,” according to the newspaper.
Fast-forward 18 months and Nigel Farage is gloating. The former UKIP leader tweeted a video clip of Cameron at this week’s World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos, under the caption: “Busted”.
Farage continued his attack today, “raging” at the news and demanding an apology over Project Fear, reports the Daily Express.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Farage was not alone. A headline in The Sun triumphantly declared: “Project Fear Crumbles.” MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, head of the European Research Group of backbench Tory Eurosceptics, said: “Ultimately, the truth will out, and Mr Cameron shows his statesmanlike qualities by admitting it.”
But not everyone is out to take a swipe at the former Tory leader.
According to The Independent: “Cameron is not alone among former prime ministers expressing scepticism. Tony Blair has waged a media war to keep Britain in the EU, calling for a second referendum along with the Lib Dems, while John Major referred to Brexit as a ‘historic mistake’, and Gordon Brown has said voters could be persuaded they were wrong.”
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rights
The Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Does Reform have a Russia problem?
Talking Point Nigel Farage is ‘in bed with Putin’, claims Rachel Reeves, after party’s former leader in Wales pleaded guilty to taking bribes from the Kremlin
-
The Liberal Democrats: on the march?
Talking Point After winning their highest number of seats in 2024, can the Lib Dems marry ‘stunts’ with a ‘more focused electoral strategy’?
-
Is Britain turning into ‘Trump’s America’?
Today’s Big Question Direction of UK politics reflects influence and funding from across the pond
-
Behind the ‘Boriswave’: Farage plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain
The Explainer The problem of the post-Brexit immigration surge – and Reform’s radical solution
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Entente cordiale: will state visit help UK-French relations get over Brexit?
Today's Big Question The King, a keen Francophile who has a warm relationship with Emmanuel Macron, will play a key role in state visit
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies