London – Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has made a surprising comeback to frontline politics, appointed as the new foreign secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This significant development is part of Sunak’s effort to revitalize his government ahead of the expected general election next year. Cameron, who will also have a seat in the House of Lords, rejoins the government in a move that has stunned Westminster and risked tensions within the Conservative Party.
According to Ghana News Agency, the appointment of Cameron comes after Sunak dismissed the controversial Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, amid a contentious environment within the party. Cameron stated his eagerness to be part of a robust team for the upcoming general election, supporting Sunak’s leadership despite previous disagreements on policies such as the HS2 high-speed rail project and UK-China relations. During Cameron’s tenure, the UK experienced a ‘golden era’ of cooperation with China, a stance Sunak previously termed as ‘naive.’
James Cleverly has been reassigned from the Foreign Office to replace Braverman as Home Secretary. The decision to remove Braverman, known for her provocative remarks on homelessness and criticism of police handling of pro-Palestinian protests, could further complicate Sunak’s efforts to unify the party as it approaches the election. Braverman hinted at making further comments about her dismissal in the future.
The reshuffle also involved other key appointments and exits. Richard Holden replaced Greg Hands as Conservative Party Chairman following a series of electoral setbacks. Other significant changes include Therese Coffey being replaced by Steve Barclay as Environment Secretary, Victoria Atkins taking over as Health Secretary, and Laura Trott being promoted to Treasury Chief Secretary.
The changes extend to junior ranks as well, with several ministers including Will Quince, Neil O’Brien, Nick Gibb, Jesse Norman, and George Freeman leaving their posts. Rachel Maclean was dismissed as Housing Minister, and Jeremy Quin resigned from his position as Paymaster General.
Despite some Tory MPs advocating for drastic tax cuts, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt retains his position, indicating Sunak’s stance on economic policy ahead of the upcoming autumn statement. The reshuffle reflects Sunak’s intent to reshape his government and present a united front as the Conservative Party gears up for the next general election.
