Only a month ago, Rishi Sunak used his speech at the Tory party conference to convey his vision for Britain.
Declaring himself the candidate for change, he pledged to break the ‘old consensus’ which had failed the country. He would be bold, he said, and radical.
What then are we to make of the Prime Minister sacking Suella Braverman and bringing David Cameron back to fill one of the great offices of state?
The ex-premier may represent lots of things but change isn’t one. Indeed, many loyal Tories will think that if Mr – now Lord – Cameron is the answer to anything, No 10 is asking the wrong question.
Steadfastly pro-EU, he read the nation’s mood spectacularly badly on Brexit and, after the referendum result, scarpered off with indecent haste. There are also valid questions over the new Foreign Secretary’s judgment on the global stage. In particular, his policy as PM of sucking up to China proved hopelessly and dangerously naïve.
Declaring himself the candidate for change, Sunak pledged to break the ‘old consensus’ which had failed the country
A heavy-hitter and confident communicator, it’s also true Lord Cameron has experience and diplomatic skills which will let him take much of the international burden off Mr Sunak’s shoulders
And when Mr Sunak has made a virtue of restoring integrity to Downing Street, isn’t it a risk to employ Lord Cameron? After all, it’s not so long ago the ex-PM was caught up in an unedifying lobbying scandal – an oven-ready attack ad for Labour.
So now he’s back, what does he bring to the party? Well an enviable contacts book for starters. A heavy-hitter and confident communicator, it’s also true Lord Cameron has experience and diplomatic skills which will let him take much of the international burden off Mr Sunak’s shoulders.
The stakes could not be higher – because the world hasn’t looked so perilous for decades. First and foremost, Lord Cameron must not backslide a millimetre in supporting Ukraine and Israel.
And whatever his reservations about Brexit, he must strive to exploit its myriad opportunities, especially the UK’s deepening engagement with the most thriving and dynamic parts of the globe.
Wouldn’t it be exquisite to watch this arch-Remainer help seal a lucrative trade deal with India that would be the envy of all his old chums in the EU?
On the domestic front, it’s likely Lord Cameron can steady the horses in the Tory shires, where he is still well thought of. But it’s hard to see him doing much for the party’s fortunes in the Red Wall, his appeal being more Surrey than Sunderland.
As for Mrs Braverman, the PM may well have considered her unforgivably disloyal after a string of controversial interventions, but she spoke for the quiet majority who care about what is happening to Britain.
She articulated their concerns about mass immigration, the failing multiculturalism policy, leniency shown to terror apologists and the woke takeover of the country’s institutions – from the police to the BBC.
As for Mrs Braverman, the PM may well have considered her unforgivably disloyal after a string of controversial interventions, but she spoke for the quiet majority who care about what is happening to Britain
On the domestic front, it’s likely Lord Cameron can steady the horses in the Tory shires, where he is still well thought of
It’s a testament to Tory dysfunction that Sir Keir Starmer, a deeply underwhelming figure, remains so far ahead in the polls
The unbridled glee at her sacking among Opposition MPs, the wet fringes of the Tory party, the liberal commentariat and, of course, at the broadcaster, speaks volumes.
But moving the impressive James Cleverly to Home Secretary is smart, as is appointing Esther McVey as ‘Common Sense Tsar’ to oversee the anti-woke agenda.
Will this be enough to placate the Tory Right? Only time will tell, but any MP who thinks salvation lies in yet more no- confidence letters – and trying to unseat another leader – needs their head testing.
Right now Mr Sunak is the party’s best and only hope of seeing off Labour.
It’s a testament to Tory dysfunction that Sir Keir Starmer, a deeply underwhelming figure, remains so far ahead in the polls.
Reshuffles are all well and good. But to really change this dismal narrative, the Government must give voters some positive reasons to back the Tories.
The Chancellor can start by breathing some life into the economy by cutting taxes – not least those shackling business.
Next week’s Autumn Statement is the perfect opportunity…