David Cameron appointed foreign secretary and made peer in shock cabinet reshuffle move

November 13, 2023

David Cameron has been appointed as foreign secretary in a cabinet reshuffle in Downing Street.

The former prime minister, who was given the role while in Number 10 this morning, said he "gladly accepted" the offer from Rishi Sunak, despite having "disagreed with some individual decisions" by his successor.

Mr Cameron called his new boss a "strong and capable prime minister who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time", adding: "I want to help him to deliver the security and prosperity our country needs and be part of the strongest possible team that serves the United Kingdom and that can be presented to the country when the general election is held."

Follow live for updates and analysis on reshuffle

The ex-party leader is no longer an elected politician as he stood down as an MP in 2016, having called the Brexit referendum and his campaign to remain in the EU losing the vote.

But the government has confirmed he will now enter the House of Lords as a life peer, giving him the opportunity to serve as a minister once more.

The shock announcement came after the sacking of Suella Braverman as home secretary, who provoked widespread condemnation for an article she wrote in The Times, accusing the police of "playing favourites" with left-wing groups over right-wing and national activists.

It was the latest in a string of controversial remarks by the Tory MP, who is a popular member on the right of the party, including her claiming being homeless was a "lifestyle choice".

We are expecting more movement at the very top of government as the day goes on, so keep up to date with who's in and who's out in our list below.

Who is in?

Mr Cameron, who brought the Tories back to power as part of a coalition with the Liberal Democrats in 2010, has returned to government as foreign secretary.

Many of the party's One Nation MPs - closer to the centre of politics - may welcome the return of Mr Cameron, who secured them two victories at general elections and is well known internationally.

But he does not come without his controversies including his austerity policies, decisions over Brexit, his push for closer ties with China, and accusations of lobbying when employed by Greensill.

In a lengthy statement released after his appointment, Mr Cameron said the UK faces a "daunting set of international challenges", including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

He said: "While I have been out of frontline politics for the last seven years, I hope that my experience - as Conservative leader for eleven years and prime minister for six - will assist me in helping the prime minister to meet these vital challenges."

Having served as foreign secretary since September last year - after being appointed by then prime minister Liz Truss - James Cleverly will now move to the Home Office as home secretary.

Speaking to broadcasters from his new department, he said it was a "fantastic job" and it would be "a real privilege to serve".

He added: "I'm absolutely committed to stopping the boats, as we promised, but also making sure that everybody in the UK feels safe and secure, going around, going about their daily business, knowing that the government is here to protect them".

Jeremy Hunt will remain chancellor, having been brought in by Ms Truss after the disaster of her mini-budget, and kept on by Mr Sunak.

Who is out?

As we have reported, Ms Braverman has been sacked as home secretary and is no longer a minister of any kind, so will return to the backbenches as an MP.

In a statement released after her dismissal, Ms Braverman said: "It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary. I will have more to say in due course."

It is the second time she has lost the job of home secretary after she resigned from Ms Truss's government for breaking the ministerial code.

The housing minister has announced on Twitter that she has been sacked - or "asked to step down".

Ms Maclean said she was "disappointed" by Mr Sunak's decision, but added: "It has been a privilege to hold the position and I wish my successor well."

She was the 15th housing minister since the Tories came to power in 2010.

After she was seen walking into Number 10 this morning - following a brief pause to stroke Larry the cat - it was thought Environment Secretary Therese Coffey may have kept a role in government.

But an exchange of letters between her and the prime minister released two hours later shows she is off, telling Mr Sunak: "I consider it is now the right time to step back from government."

She marked having served "all five Conservative prime ministers" since getting a role back in 2014, but said she had "always been most proud of in representing my constituents... and acting on local issues".

Mr Sunak wrote back to "express my gratitude to you for your years of dedicated ministerial service", as well as her "friendship to me personally".

Schools Minister Nick Gibb has said he has quit the government and will not stand at the next general election, adding: "I campaigned for Rishi last summer and I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the prime minister's leadership."

Health minister Neil O'Brien also announced he is stepping down - despite being due to play a key role in delivering Mr Sunak's ban on smoking and vaping in the younger generation.

Another health minister, Will Quince, has also stepped down from his role in a letter to the prime minister.

In it, he said due to his decision to stand down as an MP at the next election and recently becoming a specialist reserve officer in the army, "now feels like the right time to leave government".

Transport minister Jesse Norman has also quit his role, revealing in a letter than he had let the chief whip know his plans to step down "some months ago".

Paymaster General Jeremy Quin said he was offered "reassurance" that he could stay in government by the prime minister, but he has decided to "step back to concentrate on projects in Horsham" - his constituency.

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