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David Cameron to chair National Citizen Service in first post-politics role David Cameron to chair National Citizen Service in first post-politics role
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron has pledged to try to make non-military national service “a rite of passage” for every British teenager in his first new job since resigning as prime minister. David Cameron has pledged to try to make non-military national service “a rite of passage” for every British teenager in his first job since resigning as prime minister.
A month after stepping down as an MP, Cameron has announced that he is to chair an expanded National Citizen Service (NCS) – a summer camp initiative he set up in his first months in office designed to instil social responsibility in young people as part of his “big society”.A month after stepping down as an MP, Cameron has announced that he is to chair an expanded National Citizen Service (NCS) – a summer camp initiative he set up in his first months in office designed to instil social responsibility in young people as part of his “big society”.
Writing in the Telegraph, Cameron said the service was an example of the big society in action.Writing in the Telegraph, Cameron said the service was an example of the big society in action.
He said he wanted to offer every 16- and 17-year-old the chance to take part in the four-week camps to embed the initiative “in our national fabric”.He said he wanted to offer every 16- and 17-year-old the chance to take part in the four-week camps to embed the initiative “in our national fabric”.
Cameron writes: “That should be our goal – not necessarily a compulsory programme, but one that is universally available and becomes a normal part of growing up for every teenager.”Cameron writes: “That should be our goal – not necessarily a compulsory programme, but one that is universally available and becomes a normal part of growing up for every teenager.”
Under the initiative teenagers from all backgrounds take part in a voluntary project aimed at putting something back into their community. Cameron said if the idea was widely adopted it would “give every generation a greater sense of purpose, optimism and purpose”. Under the initiative, teenagers from all backgrounds take part in a voluntary project aimed at putting something back into their community. Cameron said if the idea was widely adopted it would “give every generation a greater sense of purpose, optimism and purpose”.
And he thanked his successor, Theresa May, for backing the programme in the form of a national citizen service bill, which will be introduced on Wednesday. The bill will create a royal charter to put the NCS on a permanent legal footing. He thanked his successor, Theresa May, for backing the programme in the form of a national citizen service bill, which was introduced to parliament on Tuesday. The bill will create a royal charter to put the NCS on a permanent legal footing.
Cameron urged businesses, charities and MPs from all parties to get behind the idea. “We can continue to build this special movement – empowering our young people to be united in their diversity, with the skills to get on in life and the compassion to support each other,” he wrote. The new unpaid role was approved by the advisory committee on business appointments, a watchdog tasked with overseeing the revolving door between Whitehall and the private and voluntary sector. But in a letter its chair, Angela Browning, reminded Cameron of rules preventing former ministers from lobbying the government.
She wrote: “The restriction on lobbying means that former ministers ‘should not engage in communication with government – including ministers, special advisers and officials – with a view to influencing a government decision or policy [including applications for awards or grants] in relation to their own interests, or the interests of the organisation by which they are employed, or to whom they are contracted’.”
The NCS is run by Michael Lynas, a former civil servant from the No 10 policy unit. Its operations director is Will Gallagher, a former special adviser to Chris Grayling when he was justice secretary.
In his Telegraph article Cameron urged businesses, charities and MPs from all parties to get behind the idea. “We can continue to build this special movement – empowering our young people to be united in their diversity, with the skills to get on in life and the compassion to support each other,” he wrote.
When Cameron resigned as MP for Witney he said he wanted to “start to build a life outside Westminster” prompting speculation that he would pursue lucrative corporate opportunities.When Cameron resigned as MP for Witney he said he wanted to “start to build a life outside Westminster” prompting speculation that he would pursue lucrative corporate opportunities.
Ministers who step down have a period of two years after their resignation in which they need to seek approval from an advisory committee on any paid or unpaid appointments if they want to take any corporate roles. But new roles are almost always approved by the committee.
Cameron said: “I am delighted that my first role in my life after politics is to continue my association with this fantastic programme by becoming chairman of NCS Patrons, bringing together a senior cross-party and cross-sector group of patrons and ambassadors who can help NCS to reach more youngsters.Cameron said: “I am delighted that my first role in my life after politics is to continue my association with this fantastic programme by becoming chairman of NCS Patrons, bringing together a senior cross-party and cross-sector group of patrons and ambassadors who can help NCS to reach more youngsters.
“That is the vision for NCS that I had all those years ago when I first thought about developing the programme, and together we now have the opportunity to make it a reality for generations to come.”“That is the vision for NCS that I had all those years ago when I first thought about developing the programme, and together we now have the opportunity to make it a reality for generations to come.”