Mr Cameron goes to Ukraine

A former PM, a Labour councillor, and a truck with a dodgy tyre. A road trip of triumph, regret, and an all-country CD. True story… or tall tale?

Inspired by the events of 2022 — and a Conservative British Prime Minister who thinks it’s a great idea to drive a truckload of Chippy Larder food bank supplies to the Ukraine border — this is a journey fuelled by delusion, goodwill, and midlife crisis.

His co-driver is young, female and a Labour councillor. His greatest fear is that everyone will blame him for Brexit. Hers is that he’ll put on a suit and tie and sing the national anthem. But his real nightmare, as they cross borders, cross swords and cross their fingers, may be that no one really recognises him at all.

David Cameron is itching for personal rediscovery. Forgotten in Brussels, despaired of by his wife, and no longer even the most famous old Etonian in politics, he has grabbed the chance to make a Red Cross delivery in an online-rental truck — a personal mission of mercy, image management, and country-and-western catharsis.

Shazia Mirza co-stars as the weary young Labour councillor stuck in the cab — armed with a timetable, common sense, and no patience for the “Call Me Dave” routine. As the miles and banana sandwiches pile up, so do the questions. Is this redemption? Reinvention? Or just a man with a country CD and a podcast mic in the glove compartment?

With Matt Forde as the former PM, alongside Shazia Mirza, Jemma Redgrave and Sheila Hancock, Mr Cameron Goes to Ukraine is a screwball comedy, a political odyssey, a midlife road movie — incorporating real-life testimony and a highly selective relationship with the truth.

“I’m not doing this for attention. That’s what the documentary crew is for.”
“You’re not a lorry driver, David. You’re a passenger in your own political afterlife.”

Neither quotation appears in the play, or in reality — but then again is no less true than anything else along the way.

Credits

Cast

Matt Forde David Cameron
Shazia Mirza Rizvana Poole
Jemma Redgrave Samantha Cameron
Shelia Hancock Mary Cameron
Pippa Hinchley Canteen lady, German Grandmother
Matt McGuirk British trucker, Polish Butcher
Joz Norris Truck delivery man, passport control
Wanda Starling German cashier, Marta
Adam Ganne German mechanic, Pavel

Written by Jonathan Banatvala and Stephen Dinsdale
Sound design David Thomas
Production Assistant Isobel Turner
Executive Producer Cherry Cookson
Director Jonathan Banatvala
Produced by Jonathan Banatvala and Melanie Nock

An International Arts Partnership production for BBC Radio 4

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