Sunak appoints Cameron as foreign secretary and sacks the home secretary
The repercussions of the war in Gaza and the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Great Britain have intersected with the need to prepare for the elections scheduled for next year, forcing the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to accelerate the government reshuffle which has distanced government Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and returned former Prime Minister David Cameron to take over the leadership of the Foreign Office.
This is the latest maneuver by Sunak, whose party is far behind Labor, ahead of elections scheduled for next year. Cameron’s return indicates that Sunak wants to attract more centrists and experts, rather than please the right of his party, which supported Braverman.
The amendment also raises controversy, causing discord, division and disagreement over Britain’s exit from the European Union, which Cameron sparked by calling a referendum in 2016, despite his support for remaining in the bloc.
Cameron (57 years old) resigned as Prime Minister in 2016, after losing the “Brexit” referendum. In the same year he renounced his seat in Parliament. He was engulfed in scandals in 2021 after lobbying the British government on behalf of the collapsed Greensill Capital financial group, in an event that dealt a blow to his reputation.
Downing Street announced that Cameron would receive a life peerage in the House of Lords, meaning he could hold a government position. The former prime minister said he “happily accepted” the position as Britain faces “a number of difficult international challenges”. He added: “Although I have been away from the front lines of politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience as Conservative leader for 11 years and Prime Minister for six years will allow me to help the Prime Minister address these important challenges. .”
Sunak faced criticism from opposition lawmakers and calls from members of the ruling Conservative Party to remove Braverman, and then Sunak apparently implemented a cabinet reshuffle planned for a later date, to attract allies and get rid of of ministers who he felt were failing. their work. He was forced to take the step early when the controversial Braverman challenged him last week in an unauthorized article in which he accused police of following a “double standard” in the protests.
The opposition Labor Party said this fueled tensions between a pro-Palestinian protest and another far-right protest on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of around 150 people.
Braverman’s firing was not surprising; But Cameron’s appointment caused a shock in the Conservative Party, with more centrist lawmakers welcoming it and alienating some on the right who described his appointment as a surrender to the consequences of Britain’s withdrawal from the Union European.
Cameron said he was happy to take on his new role; Because in a time of global change, “there is almost nothing more important for this country than standing with our allies, strengthening our partnerships, and making sure our voices are heard.”
Braverman was replaced by James Cleverly, the former Foreign Secretary. Intelligently he is seen as trustworthy and wise and issued a short statement stating that his new role was to “keep people safe in this country”.
Braverman controversial
Braverman said after his dismissal: “Being Secretary of the Interior has been the greatest privilege of my life… I will say more in due time.”
Braverman courted controversy during his reign; He has taken a tough position in particular on immigration and has repeatedly addressed the so-called culture wars, considered divisive among voters. But his position became even more unacceptable after he wrote a controversial newspaper article last week, without Sunak’s approval, in which he accused the police of siding with left-wing causes.
The article was blamed for raising tension ahead of weekend protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and coincided with the commemoration of “Armistice Day,” which sparked calls for its dismissal. Opponents said his statements encouraged right-wing extremist protesters to stage counter-demonstrations on the sidelines of Saturday’s main march, which led to dozens of arrests.
Downing Street has launched an investigation into how the article was published without his consent, as required by the ministerial code. Braverman’s statements, which were received by the right wing of the ruling Conservative Party, were seen as an attempt to market herself as a future Conservative leader. This comes after she described marches calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as “hate marches,” just days after indicating that some “choose (homelessness) as a way of life.” The right-wing politician attacked her opponents, whom she described as “tofu eaters who follow wok culture”, while shortly after her appointment she declared that sending asylum seekers to Rwanda was a “dream” for her and a ‘”obsession”.
After his exclusion, Braverman’s interest could focus on preparing for a possible future run for the party leadership, if the Conservatives lose – as opinion polls indicate – the elections scheduled for next year.
Sunak strengthens his team
Sunak’s changes are part of the first major reshuffle among senior ministers since he took office in October last year. The conservatives, in power for about 14 years, said the changes “strengthen his government team to implement long-term decisions, for a better future.” The new decisions to be announced throughout the day are expected to reward loyalists and younger up-and-coming MPs, at a time when the party is trying to gain popularity.
In opinion polls the Labor Party is consistently ahead by around 20 points, and Sunak has failed to close this gap.
Labor has described Sunak as weak since Braverman’s article was published on Wednesday. Opposition MPs said it was desperation that drove the decision to nominate Cameron.