Ex-British PM Cameron Returns To Government As Foreign Minister

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brought back former leader David Cameron as Foreign Minister on Monday in a reshuffle triggered by his firing of Interior Minister Suella Braverman after her criticism of police threatened his authority.

It was the latest reset for a Prime Minister whose Conservative Party is badly lagging the Labour Party before an election expected next year.

Cameron’s return suggested Sunak wanted to bring in a more centrist, experienced hand rather than appease the populist right of his party which backed Braverman.

It also reawakens divisive debate over Brexit: Cameron held the referendum on European Union membership in 2016 and was hated by many on the right of the party after he campaigned to remain. He quit soon after Britain voted 52%-48% to leave.

The ministerial reshuffle followed growing criticism of Braverman from opposition lawmakers and members of the governing Conservatives, enabling Sunak to bring in allies and remove ministers he felt were not performing.

His hand was forced when the ever-controversial Braverman defied him last week in an unauthorised article accusing police of “double standards” at protests, suggesting they were tough on right-wing demonstrators, but easy on pro-Palestinian marchers.

The main opposition Labour Party said her comments had inflamed tensions between a pro-Palestinian demonstration and a far-right counter protest on Saturday.

REUTERS