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David Cameron milks the England victory to make a comeback. But it all goes pear-shaped.
Former prime minister David Cameron attempted to milk the England victory on Tuesday 3 July to make a comeback. But it all went pear-shaped.
Last night I enjoyed a real father and son moment: first, calmly explaining that England and penalty shootouts don't go together, and then the sheer joy, delight and exhilaration at an @England victory! Well done #ThreeLions Onwards…!
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 4, 2018
Penalty
England beat Colombia by a single goal in a penalty shootout. But when Cameron tried to get involved, things didn’t go quite as well for him. Because people quickly turned his football commentary against him:
That's nice. I've calmly explained to my son that thanks to your incompetence he's not going to the get the opportunities in life that I did. Sadly there won't be as much joy, delight and exhilaration for the generations to come, saddled with the negative impact of your folly.
— Sean P (@seanp306) July 4, 2018
Cameron’s government unleashed a relentless austerity programme that forced ordinary people to pay for the bankers’ financial crash of 2007/8. At the same time, his policies piled on more debt than every Labour government combined since World War II.
Then, as many pointed out, there’s the former Tory leader’s Brexit game-playing:
Sadly I'll also need to explain to my son that being British and freedom to live, work and learn in 28 countries don't go together.
— Steven Findlay (@safindlay1980) July 4, 2018
And the tax dodging of Cameron’s family:
Did you also take the opportunity to have a father to son chat about avoiding tax?https://t.co/MG5dDgYaJz
— Ron Moore MP (@RonMooreMoreRon) July 4, 2018
‘Yeah, I’m a big-time fan. Totally.’
Other people reminded Cameron of the time he mixed up which football team he supports. During a 2015 general election speech, the former prime minister urged people to support West Ham. Apparently, Cameron forgot that he claims to be an Aston Villa fan:
Were you wearing your West Ham or your Aston Villa shirt? https://t.co/uTu8QUUIsO
— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) July 4, 2018
Cameron was ridiculed intensely at the time:
David Cameron has forgotten which Football Club he supports. Aston Villa last week, West Ham this. Burnley next? https://t.co/V2pUAprDME
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 25, 2015
This has to cost Cameron the election, surely? How can anyone 'forget' which football team they support? Unforgivable. #CameronOut
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 25, 2015
“Staggering lack of self-awareness”
Back in 2018, some Twitter users were particularly unforgiving:
You casually and irrevocably wrecked this country for the sake of a few votes – you should be crawling around in sackcloth and ashes. You've been cocooned by money your entire life, so fuck off with your chummy matiness and show some shame.
— Lissa Evans (@LissaKEvans) July 4, 2018
David, your staggering lack of self awareness is bewildering. Go away. It's the only thing you've proved recently you're good at. #PeoplesVote
— 16 Million Rising #FBPE (@16MillionRising) July 4, 2018
On social media, Cameron tried and failed to use the World Cup to make a comeback with the British people. But the former prime minister’s record has left a stain he can never wash off. And rightly so.
Get Involved!
– Check out the People’s Assembly Against Austerity.
Featured image via World Economic Forum/ WikiCommons
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