David Cameron to publish ‘frank’ autobiography on eve of Conservative Party conference

‘He will provide, for the first time, his perspective on the EU referendum and his views on the future of Britain’s place in the world in the light of Brexit’

The former prime minister's memoir will be published in September – ahead of the new Brexit deadline (AFP/Getty)

David Cameron is expected to reveal his “frank and personal” thoughts on the EU referendum and Brexit in an autobiography to be published on the eve of the Conservative Party conference in autumn.

Since leaving office in July 2016 – shortly after losing the EU vote – the former Tory prime minister has kept a relatively low-profile, and has avoided commenting publicly on his successor Theresa May‘s premiership.

It comes as Ms May prepares to outline her timetable for departing Downing Street should she lose a critical vote on her Brexit plans at the start of June, kicking off the process of a Tory leadership contest.

Last month it was reported Mr Cameron had given the prime minister a private understanding he would not publish the autobiography until Britain had left the bloc. He had not wanted to “rock the boat” in one of the most uncertain and unstable periods in modern British political history, as Westminster remains deadlocked over Brexit.

But the book will now be released on 19 September – ahead of the revised “Halloween Brexit” deadline of 31 October – the publisher Williams Collins announced on Thursday.

The former Tory leader between 2005 to 2016 was also widely report to have bought a £25,000 shepherd’s hut to provide him with a place in his Oxfordshire garden to write the book.

Speaking in 2016 about the book, Mr Cameron said: “It was an immense privilege to lead the Conservative Party for more than a decade and the country for over six years as prime minister.

“I am looking forward to having the opportunity to explain the decisions I took and why I took them. I will be frank about what worked and what didn’t.”

In a statement, Williams Collins said on Thursday: “He [Mr Cameron] will explain how the governments he led transformed the UK economy while implementing a modern, compassionate agenda that included reforming education and welfare, legalising gay marriage, honouring the UK’s commitment to overseas aid and spearheading environmental policies.

“He will shed light on the seminal world events of his premiership – the Arab Spring; the rise of Isis; the invasion of Ukraine; the conflicts in Libya, Iraq and Syria – as well as events at home, from the Olympic Games in 2012 to the Scottish referendum.

“He will provide, for the first time, his perspective on the EU referendum and his views on the future of Britain’s place in the world in the light of Brexit.”