In a surprising turn of events, former prime minister David Cameron has re-entered the UK government as the foreign secretary.
This decision comes on the heels of the dismissal of home secretary Suella Braverman earlier today, with James Cleverly stepping into her role.
The unexpected comeback is part of a strategic reshuffling orchestrated by prime minister Rishi Sunak, seemingly aimed at bolstering his political standing.
Cameron, having accepted a peerage to rejoin the government, emphasised the importance of standing by allies and addressing global challenges in a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Regarding international challenges, he said: “We are confronted with a formidable array of global issues, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East. In this era of profound global transformation, it is crucial for our country to support our allies, strengthen partnerships, and ensure our voice resonates.”
Critical challenges
Although Cameron has been away from frontline politics for the past seven years, he expressed hope that his extensive experience as Conservative leader for eleven years and Prime Minister for six would assist Sunak in navigating these critical challenges.
Sunak’s decision to reintegrate Cameron into the government is anticipated to pacify moderates within the Conservative party who had concerns about Braverman’s right-wing positions on matters such as immigration, policing, and homelessness.
Labour’s National Campaign Coordinator, Pat McFadden MP, remarked, “A few weeks ago, Rishi Sunak said David Cameron was part of a failed status quo, now he’s bringing him back as his life raft. This puts to bed the prime minister’s laughable claim to offer change from 13 years of Tory failure.”
Reshuffle
In response to his new position, the newly appointed home secretary, James Cleverly, affirmed his commitment to addressing issues related to small boat arrivals and ensuring the safety and security of everyone in the UK.
Amidst these changes, minister Jesse Norman has resigned from his role in the Department for Transport, citing notice given to government whips several months ago. Additionally, Will Quince has stepped down from the Department of Health and Social Care, and schools minister Nick Gibb has announced his intention to resign and step down as an MP at the next election.
