David Cameron returns to world stage

But Sunak was left with little choice after she openly defied Downing Street's wishes by publishing an article that was deeply critical of the handling of recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London, which have resulted in a number of openly anti-Semitic chants, by the British police.

Many political observers believe that Braverman's increasingly outspoken views are part of an attempt to position herself to challenge for the Conservative Party leadership in the event of Sunak losing the next general election, which would trigger a new leadership contest.

Read more: Will the Cameron strategy work in UK politics?

Her dramatic dismissal from the Cabinet could therefore actually boost her  leadership hopes in the long run, which are easier to coordinate from the back benches. Some have even speculated that her incendiary comments of the last few days, on the homeless and Metropolitan police, were, in effect, deliberate acts of self-sabotage.

The appointment of Cameron, who is seen as a more moderate Conservative figure, and the removal of Braverman, certainly signals a shift towards the centre ground of British politics, one Sunak hopes will help to revive his political fortunes.

Another important element of Sunak's reshuffle was the appointment of former foreign secretary James Cleverly as Braverman's replacement at the Home Office.

Even so, Cameron's appointment will undoubtedly be received with mixed feelings among many Conservative MPs, who see the former prime minister as a divisive figure for his role as the architect of austerity following the 2008 financial crash and the prime minister who was in office when Britain voted in favour of Brexit.

In terms of foreign affairs under his premiership, many will remember his role in overthrowing Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, plunging the country into a bitter civil war.

The return to frontline politics

Prior to his appointment as foreign secretary, Cameron had indicated to his close political associates in the Conservative Party that he would be interested in returning to front line politics, preferably with a leading role in global affairs.

And, having secured the appointment to lead the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Britain's new foreign secretary lost no time making his presence felt, making a visit to Ukraine, where Britain has been a prominent supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the first high profile trip of his tenure.

Britain's role as one of Kyiv's main backers in its war against Russia dates back to Boris Johnson's tenure as prime minister. Johnson and Cameron, who were schoolboy contemporaries at Eton, have not always had the easiest of political relationships.

Nevertheless, Cameron showed no hesitation about supporting the pro-Ukraine policy initiated by Johnson, reiterating the position that Britain would continue its support for Kyiv in the conflict, which is now in its 21st month with no end in sight.

"We will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support... but above all the military support that you need not just this year and next year, but however long it takes," Cameron said in a video that was later posted by Zelensky's office.

Cameron even went so far as to praise Johnson for the stanch backing he had given Ukraine, telling Zelensky, "I had some disagreements with Boris Johnson, he was my friend for forty years, but his support for you was the finest thing that he introduced."

By contrast, the new British foreign secretary's attitude towards the Gaza crisis is likely to be more nuanced. Previously, during his tenure as prime minister, Cameron attracted strong criticism from the Israeli government after describing the Gaza Strip as "a prison camp." He has also declared his support for a two-state solution to the long-running Israeli-Palestinian issue.

At the same time, he has shown himself to be a staunch support of Israel in the wake of Hamas' October 7 attack against Israel. Two days after the Hamas attack, the 57-year-old Cameron declared his support for Israel in a social media post on X, writing, "I stand in complete solidarity with Israel at this most challenging time and fully back the Prime Minister and UK Government in their unequivocal and steadfast support."

Consequently, Cameron can be expected to support both the British government's firm support for Israel, as well as working closely with the US on any future diplomatic initiatives to resolve the crisis.

Cameron's appointment to lead the FCDO will certainly help to ensure Britain plays a prominent role in the Gaza crisis, as well as other major global issues such as the Ukraine conflict.

Even so, questions will certainly be asked as to why Sunak was not able to find a candidate among sitting MPs to become foreign secretary, and why he did not turn to an obvious ally like Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch or Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove to fill the role.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the Commons, has already shown concern about Cameron's appointment and the fact that the new British foreign secretary will sit in the House of Lords, and not the Commons as his recent predecessors have done.

At the start of Commons business following Cameron's appointment, Hoyle complained that, given the "gravity of current international situation" at a time of war in Ukraine and the Middle East, it was "especially important that this house is able to scrutinise the work of the Foreign Office effectively". Hoyle has commissioned the Commons clerks to work on methods to ensure the new Foreign Secretary is "properly accountable" to the Commons. Lord Cameron will be the first occupant of a great office of state to sit in the House of Lords since Margaret Thatcher's government in the 1990s.

Also, in appointing Cameron to one of the top four offices of state, Sunak has chosen to disregard his close association with one of the UK's biggest financial scandals of recent years. Two years ago, BBC Panorama revealed internal documents suggesting Cameron had made about $10m (£8.2m) jetting around the world to promote a highly controversial finance business, Greensill Capital.

Greensill, whose disgraced boss Lex Greensill was given an office in Downing Street under Cameron's premiership and later became both his friend and his employer, collapsed in March 2021.

The Greensill episode might help to explain the results of a snap poll of 2,000 people taken by YouGov after the former premier's appointment, which showed that 38 per cent those polled thought the Cameron appointment was bad, only 24 per cent that it was good, as compared with 57 percent agreeing with the dismissal of Ms Braverman to 20 per cent disagreeing.

Cameron nevertheless remains keen to stress his credentials, commenting soon after his appointment, "While I have been out of front-line 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."

Whether Cameron's eye-catching appointment helps Sunak to make any inroads against Labour's massive 21-point lead in the opinion polls before the next British elections remains to be seen.