I’m fascinated by Rishi Sunak’s decision to bring David Cameron back into the cabinet. This can’t just be about the Foreign Ministry; it appears to be a signal to the Conservative Party, and to the electorate in general, that he identifies himself with Cameron’s years as PM. That, of course, implies a rejection of everyone who came after him.
On the one hand, running as a change candidate as the representative of a party that has been in power for over a decade is very difficult; this is one way to do it. On the other hand, Cameron notoriously opposed Brexit. Does Sunak think that doesn’t matter at this stage, or is he consciously flipping the bird at Boris and the populist right? Either way, there’s going to be plenty of opposition to this in his own party.
I don’t think this gambit will work, but Sunak has no good options at this point, and it shows some imagination. Also, Cameron is competent, which helps.