Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron Makes Surprise Return as Foreign Secretary

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron makes a surprise comeback after 7 years by being appointed as Foreign Secretary. Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who called pro-Palestinian protesters rioters and criticized them, was ultimately dismissed.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron Appointed as Foreign Minister [Image Source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reshuffled the cabinet on the 13th (local time) with these changes. Facing difficulties ahead of the general election, Sunak made an unexpected move by bringing back a former prime minister.

Former Prime Minister Cameron opened the Conservative Party's era of power in 2010 and led the government for six years but resigned in July 2016 taking responsibility after the Brexit referendum passed. He was a Remain supporter. Since then, the UK political scene has struggled to find direction, with four prime ministers including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss emerging.

After the announcement of Cameron’s appointment as Foreign Secretary, he said in an online statement, "While I may not have agreed with some individual decisions, Prime Minister Sunak is a strong and capable leader."

Just last month, Cameron criticized Sunak’s decision to scrap part of the next-generation high-speed rail project. At that time, he said, "Although I have been out of frontline politics for the past seven years, I hope to contribute with my 11 years as Conservative Party leader and six years as prime minister."

He added, "We face several global challenges including the war in Ukraine and the Middle East crisis. In these serious global changes, it is important to stand by our allies, strengthen partnerships, and make our voice clearly heard."

His return is expected to attract moderate Conservatives. On the other hand, as someone who once led a golden era with China, dissatisfaction among anti-China members of Parliament may grow.

To include Cameron, who is not a member of the House of Commons, in the cabinet, the government hurriedly appointed him a life peer through the royal family, making him a member of the House of Lords.

Suella Braverman, former UK Home Secretary

Home Secretary Braverman, who was ousted that day, had recently made a series of hardline right-wing remarks that put Prime Minister Sunak in a difficult position. In a media op-ed last week, Braverman called pro-Palestinian protesters rioters and criticized the police for having a double standard and giving preferential treatment.

Her comments added fuel to an already sensitive situation regarding a large pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for the weekend, which was Memorial Day. Criticism poured in from both inside and outside the party. Moreover, she was accused of violating ministerial rules after it was revealed she ignored the Prime Minister’s Office by refusing to amend her statements.

She was dismissed as Home Secretary in September last year during Liz Truss’s premiership for violating regulations but regained her position after supporting Sunak in the subsequent party leadership election.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, moved to Braverman’s former position.