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Why did David Cameron resign? …Because he will never be able to escape his legacy

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street, where he announced his resignation after Britain voted to leave the European Union
Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street, where he announced his resignation after Britain voted to leave the European Union

David Cameron said repeatedly in the run-up to the EU referendum he wouldn’t resign in the event of a Brexit.

The prime minister insisted that regardless of how the country voted he would stay on, although he had indicated he wouldn’t serve a third term.

And yet within hours of the result being announced he was on the steps of Downing Street telling us he’s not the right captain to steer the UK to its next destination.

It was shocking in one sense so soon after the dramatic result, but not surprising. Really he had no choice beforehand but to say he would stay on and then step down when his nightmare scenario panned out.

He put his neck and credibility on the line; he had to go.

David Cameron resigns: His speech in full

And the letter signed by 85 Tory MPs including prominent Brexiteers – expressing their confidence in him ahead of the result regardless of which way it went – provided an easy way out.

We pledge our loyalty to you, you have a mandate to continue as PM, they said. This allowed him to bow out with some dignity.

His speech came across as heartfelt and genuine. I held nothing back, he said.

For him personally, announcing his resignation quickly but confirming he will stay on temporarily to steady the ship is probably the best call.

And yet there must be some feelings of regret.

Just over a year ago he was flying high – he had the world at his feet. Securing a Tory majority at the general election was perhaps the best day of his premiership. Yesterday was definitely the worst.

After all he didn’t have to call a referendum in the first place.

He will now go down in history as the prime minister who led Britain to the EU exit door.

Like Tony Blair and the Iraq War, he will not be able to escape his legacy.

Not in the future and nor in the short-term as an EU summit is scheduled for next week.

Beyond the ramifications for Mr Cameron, we are about to read the next chapter in the tale of the Humpty Dumpty Tory party, now facing the not easy task of putting itself back together again.

The PM did not give a precise timetable for his departure, but said there should be a new leader in place for the start of the Conservative party conference in October.

Between now and then it will be every man – and woman (Don’t forget potential unity candidate Theresa May) – for themselves.

Watch as Leave comrades – patting each other on the back yesterday – immediately morph into rivals.

And while it’s probably game-over for Remainer George Osborne – the other half of Mr Cameron’s double act – don’t be surprised if someone unexpected throws their hat into the ring too.