No Change: Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle is the latest reset for a prime minister whose Conservative Party is badly lagging the Labour Party before an election expected next year.

The return of former prime minister David Cameron suggests Mr Sunak wanted to bring in a more centrist, experienced hand rather than appease the populist right of his party which backed Suella Braverman.

Labour had called Mr Sunak weak since Ms Braverman’s article was published last week.

Now, the opposition claims his decision to appoint Mr Cameron is an act of desperation.

In: David Cameron

New position: Foreign Secretary

Replaces: James Cleverly

Former British prime minister David Cameron has made a shock return to politics, saying he’s “delighted” to become the country’s new foreign secretary.

Mr Cameron served as prime minister from May 11, 2010 to July 13, 2016, three weeks after the Brexit vote on June 23.

There have been four prime ministers since, making it five in seven years, the biggest period of change since the 1920s.

He will return to government through an appointment to the UK Parliament’s unelected upper chamber, the House of Lords. 

Mr Cameron’s return suggests Mr Sunak wants to bring in a more centrist, experienced hand rather than appease the populist right of his party which backed Suella Braverman.

It also reawakens divisive debate over Brexit.

Out: Suella Braverman

Former position: Home Secretary

Replaced by: James Cleverly

Suella Braverman has been sacked as Home Secretary after a weekend of controversy sparked by an opinion piece she wrote.

Ms Braverman’s article, published in The Times newspaper on Friday, criticised police’s handling of a Palestinian solidarity demonstration in London.

It’s the second time she’s been sacked from the post in 13 months.

The return of former prime minister David Cameron has compounded the anger felt by some on the right after Braverman’s sacking.

They backed her stance on protests and immigration and predicted she would remain a vocal force.

With Ms Braverman sidelined, her attentions might focus on preparing for a possible future race for leader of the party if, as opinions polls suggest, the Conservatives lose the election expected next year.

New role: James Cleverly

New position: Home Secretary

Replaces: Suella Braverman

James Cleverly, previously foreign minister, was appointed to replace Suella Braverman.

He is seen as a safe pair of hands and said his new role was “to keep people in this country safe”.

His first challenge will come on Wednesday when the Supreme Court rules on whether asylum seekers can be deported to Rwanda.

A defeat would lead some lawmakers to amplify calls for Britain to quit the European Convention on Human Rights.

No change: Oliver Dowden

Current position: Deputy PM, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Oliver Dowden was appointed to the role of deputy prime minister in just April of this year.

He was left unaffected by Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle.

No Change: Jeremy Hunt

Current position: Chancellor of the Exchequer (or, finance minister)

Jeremy Hunt remains in his role.

There have been seven finance ministers in seven years, including Rishi Sunak himself from February 2020 to July 2022, plus Nadhim Zahawi for two months in 2022 and then Kwasi Kwarteng for six weeks in September-October that year.

In: Victoria Atkins

New position: Health Secretary

Replaces: Steve Barclay

Victoria Atkins has become the seventh health minister since 2016.

She will assume oversight of the National Health Service (NHS), Britain’s state-funded health system that is facing one of the toughest periods in its 75-year history, including industrial action and record waiting lists.

New role: Steve Barclay

New position: Environment Secretary

Replaces: Thérèse Coffey

Former British health minister Steve Barclay has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He takes over from Thérèse Coffey who resigned from her post.

Out: Thérèse Coffey

Former position: Environment Secretary

Replaced by: Steve Barclay

Thérèse Coffey resigned from her role as environment secretary, saying she is returning to the backbenches because it is the “right time” for her to leave government.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed former health minister Steve Barclay to the role. 

New role: John Glen

New position: Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Replaces: Jeremy Quin

John Glen was appointed as minister for the Cabinet Office on in the reshuffle, replacing Jeremy Quin who is now left without a portfolio.

Mr Glen had previously held a role in the finance ministry.

In: Laura Trott

New position: Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Replaces: John Glen

Laura Trott has been appointed to the role of Chief Secretary to the Treasury and replaces John Glen, who has moved into a new role. 

The role is one of the most senior ministerial positions within the finance ministry and carries responsibility for organising government departmental spending.

In: Richard Holden

New position: Conservative Party Chairman and minister without portfolio

Replaces: Greg Hands

Richard Holden has been named as chairman of the governing Conservative Party.

He replaces Greg Hands, who is now left without a portfolio.

Mr Holden was previously a junior transport minister.

Out: Jeremy Quin

Former position: Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Replaced by: John Glen

Jeremy Quin has been left without a portfolio in the midst of Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle.

Out: Greg Hands

Former position: Conservative Party Chair and minister without portfolio

Replaced by: Richard Holden

Former Conservative Party Chairman Greg Hands has been named as a junior business minister.

In: Esther McVey

New position: Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Prime Minister Rishi Suank has appointed Esther McVey as a Cabinet Office minister. 

Ms McVey is not only a politician — she is also the presenter of right-leaning broadcaster GB News.