"David Cameron was leader of the Conservative Party (2005-16) and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2010-16). His legacy may be one of the most significant of any post-war British Prime Minister. But did he have a distinctive political strategy, and if so, how should we characterise it? This book provides a new and distinctive interpretation of 'Cameronism' focusing on the twin themes of modernisation and manipulation. Heppell identifies three core aspects of Cameron's modernisation strategy: his attempts to detoxify the image of the Conservative Party; his efforts to delegitimise the Labour Party by blaming it for the financial crisis and austerity; and his use of the 'Big Society' narrative to reduce the perceived responsibilities of the state. Heppell then looks at how Cameron manipulated the Liberal Democrats on policies such as austerity and tuition fees. Finally the book examines Cameronism of current challenges to the existing political order: Brexit, Scottish independence and the issue of electoral reform. This timely book is essential reading to those interested in British party politics and Prime Ministerial leadership." -- Taken from back cover.