Tory MPs line up to support Suella
Spectator (UK)JUL 2023
Suella Braverman Sacked Amidst UK Government Shakeup
Image copyright: Carl Court/Getty Images News via Getty Images (Oct. 3, 2023)
The Spin
Left narrative
Sunak's latest reshuffle screams only of desperation. While finally axing the hate-filled home secretary, the revival of Cameron from the political graveyard merely reaffirms that the Conservative Party has nothing more to offer than status quo incompetency. Albeit dramatic, today's changes will do little as Labour continues to head towards a landslide victory similar to 1997.
Right narrative
While today's bold decisions by Sunak do not come without their dangers, the shocking return of David Cameron at the indirect expense of Suella Braverman will be viewed as an excellent coup. Sunak has, for now, pushed back against his party's right wing while acquiring a political giant in return. While Cameron's foreign policy legacy is by no means smooth, it's his experience that Sunak will draw upon as a general election continues to loom over UK politics.
Conservative narrative
The sacking of Braverman, a leader of the UK's silent majority, has led to fury. Sunak continues to act with in bad faith, and it is he, rather than the now-former home secretary, who should be finding his way out the door. Braverman executed her job the way Britains actually wanted, but Sunak would rather quiver in the face of liberal criticism than pursue actual popular policies on immigration and policing — including properly policing Pro-Palestine demonstrations.