It’s a return that has left the United Kingdom speechless. It is not that of the Beatles at the top of the British charts but rather that of a former Prime Minister who disappeared from political life for seven years. As Rishi Sunak’s government reshuffle was announced, David Cameron got out of his car in front of No. 10 Downing Street. The former head of government replaces James Cleverly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended his first Council of Ministers.
An image of seriousness
In difficulty in the polls as the legislative elections approach, Rishi Sunak’s conservative party must win back the vote of voters. With the reshuffle which took place on Monday, he intends to show a semblance of stability after the scandals of the Boris Johnson era then the near financial crisis caused by the short-lived Liz Truss.
The return of David Cameron brings this image of seriousness and experience in a period of conflict. Rishi Sunak “wants someone with some influence on the international scene”, analyzes Tim Bale, political scientist at Queen Mary University of London. A media coup, this appointment also suggests a refocusing of the government after the ousting of the very conservative Suella Braverman.
Files on the table
David Cameron has his work cut out for him. Integrating the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the middle of the war in Ukraine and during the conflict between Israel and Hamas is not going to be easy. Despite his distance from the political scene over the past seven years, David Cameron nevertheless expressed on to “help” Rishi Sunak face these international “challenges”.
On other issues, David Cameron will undoubtedly be confronted with certain contradictions. The one who governed the country between 2010 and 2016 praised a “golden age” of relations with China that contrasted with current tensions. He was also the one who caused Brexit while opposing it.
A surprise for everyone
To believe the exclamations of surprise from journalists in a duplex in front of the Prime Minister’s residence when David Cameron got out of his vehicle, no one expected this appointment. And for good reason, the former head of government left politics in 2016, after triggering the referendum to leave the European Union.
In his autobiography published in 2019, he explained that he had no regrets for having triggered this vote which opened a period of intense heartbreak in the country and judged the negotiations on leaving the EU ” difficult to watch. Away from politics, he has mainly been talked about since for his role as a lobbyist for the financial company Greensill, whose bankruptcy caused a political-financial scandal.