David Cameron's third-term renunciation is an act of weakness

Cameron’s command of the Tory party remains flimsier than outsiders imagine, and this attempt to control the succession process will come at a price

Prime ministers don’t like talking about resigning or retiring, least of all when they are running for re-election. Thus, when a prime minister does talk about quitting, he does it for a reason and because he thinks he is in a tight spot. So, to what question is Cameron’s surprise mid-campaign announcement that he will not run for a third term the answer?

The explanation lies in internal Conservative party politics. Not for the first time in his leadership, Cameron’s action is a reminder of the importance he attaches to managing his often angry party. As the Guardian reported at the weekend, Cameron is worried about a leadership challenge after 7 May if the Conservatives fail to win a decisive lead in seats. His supporters have been contacting loyalists to ask them to form a “praetorian guard” around the prime minister to prevent a challenge.

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