The man who told us all to vote Remain
In 2009, David Cameron, then Leader of the Opposition, openly warned the British public about the implications of the Lisbon Treaty, labelling it as a significant power grab by the European Union. The treaty, which formally established the EU as a legal entity and introduced substantial institutional changes, was described by Cameron as a “massive transfer of powers” from the United Kingdom to Brussels. He argued that the treaty represented a substantial loss of national sovereignty, undermining the UK’s ability to self-govern in critical areas. Cameron called on then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on the matter, emphasising the need for democratic accountability. He quantified the impact of the treaty, stating that it would eliminate the UK’s veto in approximately 60 policy areas, including justice, home affairs, and energy, thereby curtailing the ability of voters to elect a government capable of implementing their desired policies.
Cameron’s stark warnings in 2009 stood in sharp contrast to his stance during the EU Referendum campaign in 2016, where he advocated for remaining in the EU. As the leader of the Conservative Party, Cameron criticised the Lisbon Treaty for introducing sweeping structural changes, including the establishment of a permanent EU President, a Foreign Minister, and a Diplomatic Service — positions that symbolised a more centralized European governance. He highlighted the treaty’s provisions allowing the EU to sign and enact new treaties and constitutions without further consultation with the people of Europe, a move he argued would deepen the democratic deficit within the Union. Cameron also pointed out that the treaty consolidated EU power over external trade, foreign policy, and even criminal justice, raising concerns about the erosion of national autonomy.
Despite Cameron’s earlier calls for a referendum, the Lisbon Treaty was ratified without the British public being given a chance to vote on it. This transfer of powers to Brussels, which Cameron had previously condemned as a betrayal of democratic principles, became law under the Labour government. His video addressing these concerns was initially shared on the Conservative Party’s ‘WebCameron’ platform, where he appeared to directly engage with voters on pressing issues. However, the video was later removed from YouTube and other archives when the Party launched its official channel, sparking speculation about efforts to downplay Cameron’s Eurosceptic stance at the time. Copies of the video, however, still exist, preserving his critical remarks on the treaty and its implications for British sovereignty.
Interestingly, Cameron’s shift in rhetoric coincided with his efforts to counter the rise of Nigel Farage and the UK Independence Party (UKIP), which had been gaining traction among Eurosceptic voters. While Cameron managed to fend off UKIP’s challenge in the 2009 European elections, his party faced significant setbacks in the 2014 European elections, where UKIP emerged as the largest UK party in the European Parliament. This defeat highlighted growing public discontent with the EU and set the stage for the eventual rise of the Brexit Party, which would later dominate the 2019 European elections. Cameron’s evolving position on the EU reflected not only political pragmatism but also the increasing pressure within his party to address the Eurosceptic sentiment among Conservative voters.
By the time of the 2010 general election, Cameron had abandoned his campaign for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, instead promising a vote on future transfers of sovereignty to the EU. This pivot was seen as a compromise to placate both pro-EU and Eurosceptic factions within the Conservative Party. The Lisbon Treaty, with its profound implications for national sovereignty and governance, was ultimately accepted without public consultation, a decision that continued to fuel resentment among Eurosceptics. It wasn’t until 2016, six years later, that the British people were finally given a say on EU membership in the historic referendum, where they voted decisively to leave the Union. The Brexit vote, the largest in British electoral history, marked a turning point in the UK’s relationship with the EU and underscored the enduring significance of the issues Cameron had raised in 2009.
