UK’s Sunak brings back Cameron and sacks the interior minister in the latest reset. On Monday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brought back previous leader David Cameron as foreign minister as part of a reshuffle precipitated by his sacking of interior minister Suella Braverman after he perceived his authority being undermined by her criticism of the police.
The return of Cameron to government suggested that Sunak wanted to bring in more centrist and experienced hands rather than appease the right of his party, which supported Braverman. This was the latest reset for a prime minister whose party is badly trailing the Labour Party ahead of an expected election next year. Sunak’s party is likely to lose to the Labour Party.
Sunak seems to have moved up a long-planned cabinet reshuffle to bring in allies and remove ministers he believed were not doing well in response to pressure from opposition parliamentarians and members of the governing Conservative Party to remove Braverman from his position.
The ever-controversial Braverman contradicted Sunak last week in an unapproved piece accusing police of “double standards” during rallies, indicating that they were severe on right-wing protestors but soft on pro-Palestinian marchers. This pressed Sunak’s hand, and he was obliged to apologize for the story.
According to the opposition Labour Party, this contributed to the escalation of violence on Saturday between a pro-Palestinian march and a far-right counter-protest, which resulted in the detention of over 150 individuals.
WHAT ABOUT CAMERON FOR THE FOREIGN OFFICE?
James Cleverly, who had enjoyed his role as foreign minister but was seen as a safe pair of hands, was appointed to fill her position when she resigned.
Cameron, who had been removed from power after his bet to organize a referendum on Britain’s membership in the European Union in 2016 failed, was appointed to the position of foreign minister in a move that came as a complete surprise.
His selection was praised by conservatives who lean toward the political center and believe that his foreign expertise will assist in maintaining order.
However, Braverman’s dismissal and Cameron’s restoration provoked ire from some Conservatives on the party’s right flank. One legislator expressed their dissatisfaction with her expulsion, stating that Braverman has the potential to become a loud force while sitting on the so-called backbenches of parliament.
