The View from Westminster

Monday, November 13, 2023 The return of Cameron stole the headlines from Braverman's exit  Rishi Sunak seized the initiative with David Cameron's return to cabinet, wiping out the news of Suella Braverman's departure, but it was an admission of impending defeat. The comparison is with the return of Peter Mandelson to the Labour cabinet in 2008. That was a publicity coup by Gordon Brown, reaching out to the Blairites to unite the party and bringing in one of the most talented ministers of the New Labour era. Mandelson, who also re-entered the cabinet via the House of Lords, strengthened Brown's government and helped Labour fight back to deny the Conservatives a majority in the 2010 election.  Lord Cameron's return is less likely to be successful. Whatever Braverman's more hot-headed supporters might think, Sunak's leadership is not under threat, and if Cameron adds to the Tories' appeal it would be a defensive strategy aimed at Remainy seats in the south.  This was a reshuffle aimed at trying to limit the Tories' losses at the election, but I'm not sure it will make much difference at all.  Quiz question  Who was last the person to serve as foreign secretary after being prime minister? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Cabinet reshuffle: who's in and who's out as Rishi Sunak presents new team The latest appointments in full Rishi Sunak facing right-wing backlash for sacking Suella Braverman PM told to 'prepare for war', as right-wingers claims more 50 MPs could send in no-confidence letters Keir Starmer set for election landslide bigger than Blair in 1997, poll suggests TB pretends to find the idea highly amusing Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations David Cameron made foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak reshuffle Sunak 'to toughen protest laws' as Braverman doubles down on criticism of protesters What else do you need to know today? ● Suella Braverman's long-expected sacking was sealed by the phrase "lifestyle choice", applied to rough sleepers, before the publication of her provocative and unauthorised article in The Times on Thursday, according to No 10 sources ● James Cleverly arrived at the Home Office promising to "stop the boats", unexpectedly raising the stakes ahead of Wednesday's Supreme Court decision on the Rwanda scheme ● Richard Holden's steep promotion to party chair could be significant for holding the party together during the long election campaign – but also for his own search for a seat, now that the boundary commissioners have abolished his current one ● One important aspect of the reshuffle was the voluntary resignations of a slew of highly capable mid-ranking ministers: Neil O'Brien (health), Jesse Norman (transport) and Nick Gibb (education).  ● I shall be hosting an Ask Me Anything about the reshuffle tomorrow at 1pm: get your questions in now and I'll try to answer as many as I can Reading list ● I wrote at the weekend that Suella Braverman over-estimates her chances of becoming leader of the opposition after election defeat – an article that has been updated for her sacking ● Sean O'Grady says David Cameron's return is a sign of Rishi Sunak's desperation (Independent Premium) ● William Hague, who is reported to have been considered for the role of foreign secretary, has a very loyal and supportive article in The Times (paywall) ● Clare Morrison: Suella Braverman's comments show how little she knows about Northern Ireland Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow Rishi Sunak's new cabinet is due to meet, without Suella Braverman and with David Cameron. Eight days before his autumn statement, Jeremy Hunt and his Treasury ministers will answer Commons questions from 11.30am, and promise pro-growth measures during the fifth day of debate on the King's Speech. Labour will try to force a vote on its plan to allow the Office for Budget Responsibility to produce a report at every fiscal event – a deliberate reminder of Liz Truss's brief reign. The growth commission that Truss inspired will call for tax cuts in its alternative Budget.  In the Lords, ministers will be questioned about the number of autistic people held in mental hospitals (see The Independent's story last week).  Alistair Macrow, chief executive of McDonald's UK and Ireland, will be quizzed at 10am by the business select committee on the firm's workplace culture after claims of sexual harassment.  The international development committee will hear from aid agencies and human rights groups about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at 2.30pm. Poll of the day Do you think Rishi Sunak was right or wrong to sack Suella Braverman as home secretary? Right 57 per cent; wrong 20 per cent; don't know 24 per cent. Instant poll from YouGov Quiz answer: Alec Douglas-Home, prime minister 1963-64, foreign secretary 1970-74 The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy