London:

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday brought back former leader David Cameron as foreign minister after he fired Interior Minister Suella Braverman after she criticized police for threatening his authority.

It was the latest reset for the prime minister whose party is badly lagging behind Labor ahead of next year’s election. Cameron’s withdrawal suggested that Sunak wanted to bring in more centrist, experienced hands rather than appease the right of his party who had supported Braverman.

It also sparked a divisive debate over Brexit: Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, which Cameron had initiated by calling a referendum in 2016, even though he had supported remaining in the bloc.

Following criticism from opposition MPs and members of the ruling Conservative Party for ousting Braverman, Sunak pushed ahead with a long-planned reshuffle, bringing in allies and removing ministers he felt were not up to the job. are doing.

He was forced to resign when Braverman, always controversial, challenged him in an unauthorized article last week, accusing police of “double standards” at protests, suggesting they were tough on right-wing protesters but pro-Palestinian marchers. It was easy for those who did it.

The opposition Labor Party said tensions rose Saturday between pro-Palestinian demonstrations and far-right counter-demonstrations, when about 150 people were arrested.

Although his removal was not a surprise, it was Cameron’s appointment that caused a shock in the Conservative Party, which was welcomed by more centrist MPs but hated by some on the right, who described it as a final “Brexit capitulation”.

Cameron said he was delighted to take on his new role because at a time of global change, “it has never been more important for this country to stand with our partners, strengthen our partnerships and ensure that Let our voice be heard”.

“Although I may disagree with some individual decisions, it is clear to me that Rishi Sunak is a strong and capable Prime Minister, who is showing exemplary leadership in difficult times,” he wrote on Twitter.

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MPs from the party’s centrist wing said Cameron’s appointment would provide international experience and send a broader message to the country.

One Conservative MLA said, using the phrase used to describe traditionally Conservative-supporting areas in the south of England, “It’s a signal to the Tory Blue Wall and to Liberal voters, we’re not going to the right. “

Some MPs feared that Braverman was determined to remake the Conservatives as the “bad party”, a nickname former Prime Minister Theresa May used in 2002 to try to persuade the party to abandon its reputation for being careless. Was used.

But Cameron’s return has further increased the anger of some on the right wing of the party following his dismissal. He said Braverman’s stance on how the police handled the protests was correct and predicted she would become a vocal force among those who do not hold ministerial positions in Parliament.

Some Brexit supporters also said that Cameron had campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU after calling a referendum on membership for 2016, which meant that the so-called “remain” wing of the party had taken over. Was.

Former Secretary of State James Cleverley was appointed to replace Braverman. He is seen as a safe hand and was quick to say that his new role is to “keep people safe in this country”.

With Braverman sidelined, his focus may turn to preparing for a possible future run for party leader if, as opinion polls suggest, the Conservatives lose the expected election next year.

Labor has consistently maintained a lead of around 20 points in the polls and Sunak has failed to close that gap.

He tried to relaunch himself as a representative of “change” at his party’s conference last month after his message faded due to a poorly communicated decision to cancel part of the country’s largest rail project. Fell.

After Braverman’s article was published on Wednesday, Labor had described Sunak as weak. Now, opposition MPs said his decision to appoint Cameron was an act of desperation.

Lawmaker Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, said: “A few weeks ago Rishi Sunak said David Cameron was part of a failing status quo, now he is bringing him back as his life raft.”

“It refutes the Prime Minister’s ridiculous claim to offer a change from 13 years of Tory failure.”