William Collins buys David Cameron memoir

HarperCollins imprint William Collins has acquired world rights to the autobiography of former prime minister David Cameron in a "hotly contested and significant deal" negotiated with literary agent Ed Victor. 

The as-yet-untitled book, which Cameron will write next year for anticipated publication in 2018, is said to be set to offer "a frank and personal account of David Cameron's time in power in Number 10 Downing Street." There will be simultaneous publication by HarperCollins in the US.

The book will draw on over 50 hours-worth of audio tapes recorded with Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein during Cameron’s time as prime minister, and "will address all the key issues and decisions he made as Prime Minister, including critical reforms to the economy, welfare and education, the bombing of Libya, and the Parliamentary vote on Syria. The book will cover in depth the Scottish and European referendum campaigns, as well as his work in modernising and turning around the fortunes of the Conservative Party."

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.  I am looking forward to working with the talented team at William Collins in the months ahead.”

William Collins executive publisher David Roth-Ey said: “We have a long tradition of publishing books by those who have held high political offices in Britain, from Margaret Thatcher’s memoirs The Downing Street Years and The Path to Power to John Major’s Autobiography and Peter Mandelson’s The Third Man.  William Collins is the perfect home for David Cameron’s memoirs, and we are thrilled and very proud that he has chosen us to publish his book.”