In an unexpected twist, former Prime Minister David Cameron has been appointed as the new Foreign Secretary, marking a comeback for the ex-PM responsible for austerity measures.
The move, orchestrated by current Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a reshuffle, involves Cameron being granted a seat in the House of Lords to facilitate his return to ministerial duties. The announcement came as Cameron was spotted walking into No10 during Sunak’s reshuffle proceedings.
As part of the reshuffle, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has been shifted to the role of Home Secretary, taking over from Suella Braverman.
Since leaving office in 2016 in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, Cameron has faced criticism for his post-PM attempts to generate income, including his advisory role with the now-collapsed Greensill. The decision to bring back Cameron into a ministerial position has sparked controversy, with Labour’s Pat McFadden expressing skepticism about the Prime Minister’s promise of change from Tory policies.
Cameron’s appointment follows his recent public condemnation of Sunak’s decision to cancel the northern leg of the HS2 rail line. In a tweet on October 4, the former PM expressed regret and suggested that the move could undermine the country’s long-term vision.
In response to the appointment, Downing Street released a statement, saying, “The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon David Cameron as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. His Majesty has also been pleased to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon David Cameron.”
Critics, including Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran and Labour MP Chris Bryant, have raised concerns about Cameron’s return, citing his involvement in lobbying scandals and questioning the integrity of Sunak’s government. Moran particularly criticized the decision to grant Cameron a peerage, stating that it undermines the honors system given Cameron’s controversial past.
