In a stunning move that has shaken the British political landscape, former Prime Minister David Cameron has been appointed as the new foreign secretary by Rishi Sunak, who also sacked the controversial Home Secretary Suella Braverman in a major Cabinet reshuffle.
Cameron, who led the country from 2010 to 2016 and resigned after losing the Brexit referendum, has accepted a peerage and will re-enter Parliament through the House of Lords, becoming the first foreign secretary to serve in the upper chamber since the 1980s.
He has replaced James Cleverly, who has been promoted to Home Secretary, taking over from Braverman, a hard-line figure who drew widespread criticism for her comments on the police and the pro-Palestinian protests.
Sunak’s gamble: A bid to boost his popularity or a sign of desperation?
Sunak’s decision to bring back Cameron, who has been largely absent from public life since his departure from Downing Street, is seen as a bold and risky move by the Prime Minister, who is facing mounting pressure over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the HS2 high-speed rail project.
Some observers suggest that Sunak is trying to boost his popularity and credibility by tapping into Cameron’s experience and reputation as a successful leader who oversaw the economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis, the London 2012 Olympics, and the Scottish independence referendum.
“David Cameron is a proven winner who knows how to run a government and deal with the world’s most powerful leaders. He can help Sunak navigate the complex and challenging issues that Britain faces, such as the war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, and the rise of China,” said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London.
Others, however, warn that Sunak may have made a grave mistake by alienating the right-wing supporters of the Conservative Party, who oppose Cameron’s pro-EU stance and blame him for the Brexit debacle.
“David Cameron is the last person that the Tory base wants to see back in government. He is the architect of the Brexit disaster that has divided the country and damaged its economy and reputation. He is also a symbol of the elitist and out-of-touch establishment that the voters rejected in 2016,” said Matthew Goodwin, a professor of politics at the University of Kent.
Cameron’s comeback: A chance for redemption or a recipe for disaster?
Cameron’s return to the political arena has also sparked mixed reactions from the public and the media, with some welcoming his comeback as a chance for redemption and others condemning it as a recipe for disaster.
Cameron said he was “honored and humbled” by Sunak’s offer and hoped to use his “experience and expertise” to help the government tackle the “daunting set of international challenges” that Britain faces.
“I have always believed in public service, and I am ready to serve my country again in this new role. I am looking forward to working with the Prime Minister and the rest of the Cabinet to advance Britain’s interests and values in the world,” he said in a statement.
However, Cameron’s critics have accused him of being opportunistic and irresponsible, and questioned his suitability and credibility for the foreign secretary post.
“David Cameron has no shame and no sense of responsibility. He is the one who plunged the country into chaos and then ran away from the consequences. He has no right to come back and pretend to be a statesman. He is a failed and disgraced leader who should stay out of politics,” said Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party.
The appointment of Cameron as foreign secretary has also raised concerns about how he will be held to account by Parliament, especially by the MPs in the House of Commons, who have the power to scrutinise and challenge the government’s policies and actions.
According to the government, Cameron will be able to answer questions from both Houses of Parliament, and will also appear before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which is composed of MPs from different parties.
However, some MPs have expressed doubts about the effectiveness and transparency of this arrangement, and called for Cameron to be elected to the Commons or to resign from the Lords.
“It is unacceptable that the foreign secretary, one of the most important and influential positions in the government, is not directly accountable to the elected representatives of the people. David Cameron should either stand for election in a by-election or give up his seat in the Lords. He cannot have it both ways,” said Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party.
