Unveiling the Reunion: The Return of David Cameron to the UK Political Scene under Rishi Sunak's Wing

Since taking office as British prime minister just over a year ago, Rishi Sunak has made concerted efforts to stabilize the turbulent government he inherited.

The economic policies implemented by his predecessor Liz Truss had resulted in a significant decline in the value of the pound against the dollar, reaching historic lows. Inflation had skyrocketed to double digits, while interest rates were on the rise. Moreover, Sunak's governing Conservative Party was grappling with the aftermath of Boris Johnson's troubled premiership preceding Truss, marked by scandal, public anger, and abysmal poll ratings.

Sunak's attempt to establish his political identity and align himself with a specific form of Conservatism has been challenging. However, this may have changed when he made the unexpected decision to appoint former Prime Minister David Cameron as his new foreign secretary on Monday. This move surprised the political elite in Westminster. Sunak's choice followed the dismissal of Suella Braverman, a controversial figure known for her extreme views on Palestine and homelessness, from the position of home secretary.

Cameron is widely recognized as the Prime Minister who initiated the in-out Brexit referendum in 2016. As a prominent figure within the center of the Conservative Party, he championed the campaign to retain membership in the European Union. The surprising outcome of the UK's decision to leave the EU led to Cameron's resignation on the day the results were announced. This event marked the beginning of seven years of intense and divided politics within the Conservative Party, centered around Brexit and, to some degree, the party's fundamental principles.

David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street after being appointed foreign secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on November 13, 2023.

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Cameron's pro-environment, pro-social reform, centrist liberal Conservatism was quickly abandoned, creating an opportunity for right-leaning figures such as Braverman to push the entire party in their direction.

It was widely believed that Sunak lacked the strength to dismiss Braverman, despite her consistent vocalization of controversial opinions and apparent preparation to replace Sunak if he were to lose the upcoming election.

Many people also believed that retaining Braverman in a significant cabinet position was mainly aimed at managing party dynamics and satisfying the conservative faction within his party, who secretly doubted Sunak's conservative convictions.

For those critics, Cameron's appointment and Braverman's dismissal might indicate that Sunak is now revealing his real stance and aligning himself with the moderate faction. This move seems to distance him from the confrontational approach to cultural issues and aggressive rhetoric displayed by Johnson, Truss, and Braverman.

Repositioning his government towards the center may appear logical, considering the Conservatives' concerning poll numbers and the public's exhaustion with tumultuous politics. Nonetheless, he will face the challenge of reconciling this approach with his own party, as Conservative MPs, members, and voters continue to be divided into multiple factions.

Britian's Home Secretary Suella Braverman leaves her home, in London, Britain, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville

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Opinions on Johnson's populist, culture war politics vary. Some believe that his removal from office has already hindered the Conservatives' chances in the upcoming election. There are also individuals who align with low-tax libertarianism. Within the party, there is a faction advocating for a tough stance against criminals and immigrants, while on the opposing side, the moderates desire a more mature approach to governance, recognizing public weariness towards Conservative internal conflicts.

Sunak has, to a certain extent, attempted to embody all of these qualities throughout the previous year. Simultaneously, he has strived to present himself as a catalyst for transformation, distancing himself from the Conservative government's actions during the last 13 years, during which he assumed the position of finance minister.

Merely last month, Sunak imparted his thoughts at the Conservative annual conference, denouncing the political system of the past three decades, which encouraged expedient choices rather than those that were morally sound.

In that speech, Sunak expressed his support for tougher sentences for criminals, defended a reversal in the UK's green transition, made derogatory remarks about trans rights, and enthusiastically endorsed Braverman's proposal to deport refugees to Rwanda – a plan that has been prevented by British courts. It remains a mystery how Sunak's shift towards the center and his alignment with Cameron factor into all of this, considering that he previously distanced himself from many past leaders, including Cameron.

British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns on the steps of 10 Downing Street in 2016.

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Cameron is burdened with numerous issues.

Firstly, there is Brexit, which, in the view of his detractors, was initiated by him through the referendum. He managed to persuade his fellow global leaders that the remain side would emerge victorious, only to abruptly resign after the defeat. This decision continues to haunt him in British politics, leaving a multitude of individuals unwilling to forgive him.

He recently became embroiled in a lobbying scandal where he personally lobbied Rishi Sunak, who was then the finance minister under Johnson's administration, in an attempt to secure government funds for a financial services company he was affiliated with, as it faced potential collapse during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, his requests were ultimately rejected.

There are certain factions within the party who perceive him as an adversary. In the past, Cameron was recognized as a reformist, later assuming the position of party leader in 2005 and Prime Minister in 2010.

Shortly after assuming the party leadership in 2006, he delivered a speech urging people to embrace rather than fear young individuals wearing hoodies. Additionally, he made a public display of affection towards huskies as part of his effort to highlight his commitment to environmentalism. During the period from 2010 to 2015, he formed a coalition government with the centrist and pro-European Liberal Democrats. Some of his more conservative MPs believed that Cameron aligned better with the Liberal Democrats than with what they perceived as authentic Conservatives.

Some Conservatives view Cameron's appointment positively, as it signifies the party's readiness to be serious and mature again. However, they are likely to be a minority, as one cabinet minister told CNN that it proves the party is devoid of fresh ideas.

In the days to come, the appointment will undoubtedly provoke further inquiries, with observers closely monitoring any noticeable shifts in government policy or indications of a move towards the center. It is difficult to determine precisely how Sunak could achieve this, considering that just last week he presented his policy agenda, which encompassed several right-wing stances, in parliament. Furthermore, Sunak's previous ideological alignment was not unequivocally on the right. Hence, he cannot pivot from one position to another when he had not previously embraced a definitive stance.

As the upcoming election, which is likely to occur next year, approaches, perhaps the nuances of governing are not truly significant. Perhaps this is more about a shift in overall atmosphere: bringing in a reliable and capable individual to showcase stability to voters, while including more assertive policies in the party's agenda to appease Conservative critics and detractors.

Regardless of the underlying reality behind Sunak's unconventional restructuring of his senior team, he has limited time to ensure its influence on his political destiny. The imminent election is fast approaching, and his party remains significantly behind in the polls.