David Cameron hints at comeback to frontline politics as he backs Kemi Badenoch's call to leave ECHR

Published: 10:39 EST, 13 November 2026 | Updated: 10:48 EST, 13 November 2026 David Cameron has hinted at a comeback to frontline politics - as he backed Kemi Badenoch's call to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).The former PM said he is 'absolutely available' to take a job for the party, and is ready to be a 'team player'.Lord Cameron has been an increasingly influential figure behind the scenes, including helping to prepare Mrs Badenoch for big Commons clashes.He quit Downing Street and Parliament in the aftermath of his 2016 Brexit referendum defeat.However, he was persuaded to make a shock return as Foreign Secretary during Rishi Sunak's premiership, entering the House of Lords.Speculation was sparked about the peer's intentions this week when he warned Andy Burnham against trying to rejoin the EU, despite having led the Remain campaign a decade ago. Lord Cameron has been an increasingly influential figure behind the scenes, including helping to prepare Mrs Badenoch for big Commons clashesIn more extracts from the same interview with Bloomberg's Mishal Husain, Lord Cameron said 'if my party or anyone else asked me to do something in public service, I would take that very seriously'. 'I loved coming back as Foreign Secretary. I joked at the time that I'd do okay because I'd served an apprenticeship as prime minister for six years. That wasn't entirely unserious,' he said. Pressed if he would be available to serve in an administration led by Mrs Badenoch, Lord Cameron said: 'I'm absolutely available. I haven't said that to her, but I'm very happy to. 'I love public service, it's the thing that motivates me more than anything. I don't have to be the boss. I'm very happy being part of the team.'Lord Cameron acknowledged that he had some 'different outlooks' to Mrs Badenoch.'But I'm a team player. She is the leader of my team,' he added. 'I give my advice privately if it's required. I want her to do well.'The peer said he was 'very proud' to have led a 'very green government', but suggested he had sympathy with some of the backlash against Net Zero.'Some of the targets that were subsequently set were done without enough attention to how they were going to impact the cost of living,' he said. Lord Cameron referenced the Tory policy of leaving the ECHR, which Mrs Badenoch has been adamant that all candidates and frontbenchers must support.'The thing that might surprise you is on the ECHR, I think (Mrs Badenoch's) absolutely right,' he said. 'One of the reasons we've got such a problem with populism is politicians of the center-right and center-left have not done enough to tackle illegal migration.' Pressed if he would be available to serve in an administration led by Mrs Badenoch, Lord Cameron said: 'I'm absolutely available.'Pushed if he would be comfortable leaving the ECHR, Lord Cameron said: 'Yes, if that's what it takes.' In quotes from the interview that were released earlier this week, the ex-PM cautioned Mr Burnham that reopening the 'painful argument' about Brexit would not do any good.'If you look at the economic problems we have today, I don't really think they've got anything to do with Brexit at all,' he said.