Talk:David Cameron

Resignation as MP

News reports say he's resigned from Parliament with immediate effect, but that doesn't seem to be correct. Technically an MP can't resign; he has to be appointed to be Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds, which doesn't seem to have happened yet. Parliament's official website still lists him as an MP. Peter Jackson (talk) 08:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

The appointment was made at some point on the 12th, but to the Manor of Northstead, the other position which effects resignation (technically, disqualification). John Stephenson (talk) 10:59, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

Interesting. It's usually said that one's only used when 2 MPs want to leave simultaneously. Anyway, I suppose that means Sadiq Khan keeps the other job for now. I wonder whether anyone ever actually receives the salary. Peter Jackson (talk) 10:54, 15 September 2016 (UTC)

As far as I know, there is neither any salary nor duties, just a title. When someone new is appointed the previous holder is released. The two titles generally alternate, so whoever goes next will get Chiltern. There have been times when people have held the titles for less than a day, such as in 1985 when 15 Unionist MPs resigned at the same time. They can also apply for release of the title. There's an interesting parliamentary research briefing about it. John Stephenson (talk) 17:46, 16 September 2016 (UTC)

I see my original wording was unsatisfactory, talking of his leaving Parliament. He has a customary right to a seat in the Lords if he wants it, which we don't yet know. Your edit has also removed that problem. Peter Jackson (talk) 09:03, 16 September 2016 (UTC)

He may take it, but there is almost a tradition now of former PMs declining. Major, Blair and Brown have all turned it down, and so did Heath. John Stephenson (talk) 17:46, 16 September 2016 (UTC)