- .David Cameron made first speech since resignation at a university in the US
- .He told students at DePauw University that 'populism cost him his job'
- .The former prime minister added he 'feared' for the future of the Euro
- .Mr Cameron also went to basketball game in Texas with George W Bush
David Cameron has blamed 'populism' for his humiliating EU referendum defeat and warned the euro may not survive in his first major address since leaving Downing Street.
The former PM said he saw 'more trouble ahead' as people give voice to their dissatisfaction with the direction society has been going.
And although he said he did not think the EU would fall apart entirely, Mr Cameron made clear the single currency was in mortal danger.
The comments came as he spoke to students at DePauw University in Indiana as he begins a tour across the US.
It is not clear how much the ex-premier was paid for the address - but he received a fee of £120,000 for a private speech to Wall Street financiers last month.
Mr Cameron may need to rethink the content - as his decision to criticise the role of 'populism' in the referendum drew a backlash.
David Cameron made his first speech since his resignation at DePauw University, Indiana, where he revealed he blamed 'populism' for the loss of his job
Spelling out his views on the euro, Mr Cameron said he 'wondered how long it can last', adding 'I see more trouble ahead'
Asked whether Theresa May agreed with her predecessor that ‘populism’ was to blame for the Brexit vote, a No10 spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister has set out some of the issues that she believes were expressed during the referendum, including the need to make sure that the benefits of globalisation are shared more broadly, to work for a country and an economy that delivers for everyone and that’s what she’s focused upon.’
Renowned historian Mary Beard was among those weighing in, posting on Twitter that Mr Cameron appeared to be blaming 'democracy'. Retired Colonel Richard Kemp said: 'How dare the people have a say?'
In his speech, Mr Cameron speculated about the future of the euro, saying he 'wondered how long it can last'.
He said: 'Some countries have seen decades of lost growth. Those countries have a single currency but they don't have a single fiscal system, a fiscal tax system. It creates bigger differences.
'You in the United States have ways to make sure that if you have a bad year you pay less in taxes and offset federal programmes. There are no such arrangements in Europe.'
Mr Cameron also warned politicians across Europe to acknowledge voters' concerns in the aftermath of Brexit and other anti-establishment victories.
'If we don't address the concerns of those economically left behind, we open up our politics to the parties of the extreme left,' he said.
'And if we don't address the concerns of those left culturally behind, we open up to the parties of the extreme right.'
The former Prime Minister spoke about his defeated bid to get British voters to remain in the EU, comparing the result to that of Donald Trump's election.
'We know that immigration has benefited both our countries,' he told the American students. 'But we need a system of control.
Mr Cameron said he did not regret calling the EU referendum as there had not been a vote on the issue for 40 years had been 'poisoning' British politics
Mr Cameron was given short shrift by Twitter users for blaming his downfall on 'populism'. Historian Mary Beard said he appeared to be blaming democracy, former top soldier Richard Kemp said the ex-PM was upset the people 'dared' to have a say, and user Bacchus accused him of 'spectacular ignorance'
'And we may not need a wall, but we do need borders that work and are seen to work. We need that in Europe, just as in the United States.'
On the EU, the former prime minister said the fact Britain had 'not had a referendum on the issue for 40 years' was 'poisoning' British politics.
He told the students he lost the argument due to 'populism' and 'cultural and economic' reasons and had little choice but to resign afterwards.
But he added he was 'confident' a 'rational agreement' could be reached, although it would be difficult.
'I stand here as a great optimist about how we can combat populism. It may seem off that I'm so optimistic, after all, the rise of populism cost me my job,' he said.
On the issue of immigration, Mr Cameron said 'working borders' were needed in Europe as much as they were in the US.
He added he would urge Mr Trump to uphold the values of 'freedom and tolerance and optimism' and if he did, the US 'would not go far wrong'.
Mr Cameron also revealed he watched a game of basketball in Texas with former president George W Bush, pictured, even though he still doesn't understand the rules
He was attending a game, pictured, at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas
Mr Cameron said: 'The greatest question is clearly this: does the Brexit vote and the election of your president mean an end to globalisation. I would say very clearly: no.
'It's not just that the benefits of globalisation are so clear. You have to ask yourself whether it really would be in the interests of the US to go down the protectionist route.
'And the answer is: it is absolutely against your interests. If you start to protect against existing industries, others will undoubtedly start to protect against new ones emerging in the future.'
During his visit to the US, Mr Cameron took in a game of basketball at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, alongside former US president George W Bush, admitting he still doesn't understand the rules.
He tweeted: 'My second basketball game with a US President & I'm still a bit baffled by some of the rules!'
The former prime minister spoke to students, pictured, and told them he 'feared for the future of the Euro'
DePauw University President D. Mark McCoy welcomes Mr Cameron ahead of his speech
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