PoliticsPolitics

David Cameron's Holidays Tend To Coincide With A Crisis And It's Happening Again

David Cameron's Holiday Crises
Graeme Demianyk
|
Open Image Modal
Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha look at fish in the market of Aljezur, on the southwestern coast of Portugal in 2013
Armando Franca/PA Archive

As sure as night follows day, when David Cameron goes on holiday expect someone to demand he returns, often before he's had time to unpack his swimwear.

From the London riots and the rise of Isis to the fall of Gaddafi and a vote on bombing Syria, the summer parliamentary recess has seldom been a quiet one since the Tory leader became PM in 2010.

Like clockwork, the call went up today for the PM to return from the first of potentially three holidays this summer to deal with the Calais migrant crisis.

Mr Cameron has always said that he is still in charge while away, relying on his trusty Blackberry. But in four of the last five years he's been forced to return to Downing Street (and in 2010 it was a more uplifting distraction).

David Cameron: holidays interrupted
2014: Holiday In Cornwall(01 of18)
Open Image Modal
The Camerons enjoy a cup of coffee at Surfside cafe on Polzeath beach, Cornwall, on August 19, 2014. The PM insisted he remains in control and fully able to manage the Government's response to the growing crisis in Iraq whilst in the West Country. (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)
2014: The Rise Of ISIS(02 of18)
Open Image Modal
Refugees fleeing attacks from Islamic State fighters on Turkish-Iraqi border. The armed groups were responsible for massacres that prompted US bombings. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
2014: Returns To Downing Street(03 of18)
Open Image Modal
A day after the photo-op, he arrives in Downing Street, cutting short his break to discuss the situation in Iraq and Syria with Cabinet members after the murder of US journalist James Foley by a British jihadi. (credit:Oli Scarff via Getty Images)
2014: Returns To Holiday(04 of18)
Open Image Modal
The Mirror take a dim view of the PM "chilaxing" back in Cornwall while hunt for so-called "Jihadi John" begins.
2013: Holiday In Cornwall(05 of18)
Open Image Modal
The Prime Minister and Mrs Cameron sit on a bench outside a cafe overlooking the beach at Polzeath again. It's August 20. (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
2013: Holiday in Cornwall (06 of18)
Open Image Modal
News agencies snapped the PM on the beach in Cornwall, which was picked up by much of the UK media, disappointed by the earlier photo-op, much to the annoyance of No 10. (credit:Apex)
2013: Returns To Downing Street(07 of18)
Open Image Modal
Days later and the PM is back in London as the Syria crisis deepens. (credit:CARL COURT via Getty Images)
2013: MPs Vote On Military Action In Syria(08 of18)
Open Image Modal
Parliament was recalled to debate a possible military intervention in the wake of a chemical weapons attack, but MPs voted against bombing. (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
2012: Holiday In Spain(09 of18)
Open Image Modal
The first break of the summer season in Mallorca. No demand for a return. (credit:POOL via Getty Images)
2012: Still On Holiday ... In Cornwall(10 of18)
Open Image Modal
It's August 25 and still no sign of a crisis. They're at Polzeath beach. Again. (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
2011: On Holiday In Tuscany(11 of18)
Open Image Modal
At a cafe in Montevarchi near Siena, Italy, on July 31, the second day of their holiday. (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
2011: Riots And Looting Across London(12 of18)
Open Image Modal
Pockets of rioting and looting continues to take place in various boroughs of London. The Prime Minister is under pressure to return home from his summer holiday. (credit:Dan Istitene via Getty Images)
2011: Returns To Downing Street To Deal With Riots(13 of18)
Open Image Modal
Mr Cameron addresses the media outside 10 Downing Street following a fourth night of rioting across Britain. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
2011: Holiday In Cornwall(14 of18)
Open Image Modal
August 21: Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha look at the fish counter inside the fish shop 'Fresh From The Sea' in Port Isaac. (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
2011: Power Slips From Gaddafi Regime In Libya(15 of18)
Open Image Modal
Tripoli as neighbourhoods in the capital fell from the control of forces loyal to the Libyan leader. The PM is under pressure to return to London amid fears of bloodshed. (credit:FILIPPO MONTEFORTE via Getty Images)
2011: Returns To Downing Street(16 of18)
Open Image Modal
August 22, and Mr Cameron steps out of 10 Downing Street to deliver a statement about ongoing developments in Libya as Colonel Gaddafi is toppled. (credit:Sang Tan/AP)
2010: Holiday In Cornwall(17 of18)
Open Image Modal
Samantha Cameron is heavily pregnant as the couple pose on the coastal path at Daymer Bay, north Cornwall. It's August 22. (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
2010: Birth Of Daughter Florence Rose Endellion(18 of18)
Open Image Modal
Seven days later, and Mr Cameron holds his baby daughter, Florence Rose Endellion Cameron, for the first time while still in Cornwall, England. The holiday continued. (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip