London, November 13 (Online): David Cameron returns to government as UK foreign secretary in a stunning comeback for the former prime minister; This highlighted Rishi Sunak’s willingness to take risks as he seeks to revive his political fortunes.
Cameron will join the government and accept a nobility offer to do so, Downing Street announced on Monday, as part of a wider reshuffle that includes sacking Suella Braverman as home secretary and replacing her with foreign secretary James Cleverly.
A spokesman also confirmed that Jeremy Hunt will remain as chancellor. However, Environment Minister Therese Coffey, who was deputy prime minister under Liz Truss, resigned from her post and was replaced by health minister Steve Barclay.
Barclay will be replaced by deputy Treasury secretary Victoria Atkins, while deputy transport minister Richard Holden will replace Greg Hands as party leader.
Cameron posted on his X account, formerly known as Twitter: “We face a daunting set of international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East. In this time of profound global change, standing with our allies, strengthening our partnerships and ensuring our voices are heard has rarely been more important for this country.
“Although I have been out of frontline politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience as Conservative Leader for eleven years and Prime Minister for six years will assist me in helping the Prime Minister meet these vital challenges.”
Cameron resigned in 2016 after losing the Brexit referendum but reportedly told friends in 2018 that he wanted to return to frontline politics, preferably as foreign secretary.
He has kept a relatively low profile since then, but was embroiled in scandal two years ago when he lobbied government ministers to secure funding for now-bankrupt financial services firm Greensill Capital.
He returned to the headlines last month when he said Sunak’s decision to cancel the HS2 high-speed rail line between Birmingham and Manchester was wrong, adding: “We’re going in the wrong direction.”
Cameron has also been a strong supporter of the UK maintaining its commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of its gross national income on international aid; Sunak has since rescinded that commitment.
In his online statement, Cameron said: “Whilst I have disagreed with some of the individual decisions, it is clear to me that Rishi Sunak is a strong and capable Prime Minister who has shown exemplary leadership at a difficult time. He will help our country deliver the security and prosperity it needs, serve the United Kingdom and “I want to help him be part of the strongest possible team that can be presented to the country when the General Elections come.”
Sunak’s decision to bring back Cameron is likely to please moderates in the Conservative party upset by Braverman’s aggressive right-wing rhetoric on issues such as immigration, policing and homelessness.
This could also fuel anger on the party’s right wing, especially given that Cameron’s last meaningful political action was to lead the unsuccessful campaign to remain in the EU.
Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg told GB News: “I think today was a mistake in terms of the Conservatives winning the next election because Suella understood what the British electorate was thinking and was trying to do something about it.
“It seems to me that the Prime Minister is not as sensitive to voters’ concerns as Suella Braverman.”
Simon Clarke, a backbench MP and ally of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, has published a clearly pointed tweet about the exclusion of footballer Raheem Sterling from the England squad. “There are some questionable choices from the manager here, to put that very mildly,” said Clarke. “It is never wise to lack options on the right wing; there is a risk of the squad being unbalanced.
Some MPs also appeared unhappy with Sunak’s decision to sack housing secretary Rachel Maclean. Business minister Kemi Badenoch tweeted: “So sorry to see you leaving government @redditchrachel. “You were an excellent minister, always attentive to MPs and their constituents, and faced very tough legislation!”
Downing Street had not appointed a new housing secretary until the afternoon, amid reports that several MPs had turned down the job.
Reacting to Cameron’s appointment: Labour’s National Campaign Coordinator Pat McFadden MP said: “A few weeks ago Rishi Sunak said David Cameron was part of a failed status quo, now he’s bringing it back as a life raft.
“This refutes the prime minister’s ridiculous claim to offer change after 13 years of Tory failure.”
news source (onlinenews.com.pk)
