The abrupt dismissal of Suella Braverman from the position of Home Secretary by Rishi Sunak has ignited a potential political storm within the Conservative Party. Braverman’s removal, attributed to her controversial rhetoric surrounding Armistice Day protests, is seen as the latest challenge to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s authority.
In the wake of Braverman’s sacking, Sunak, in a surprising move, appointed David Cameron as Foreign Secretary while transferring James Cleverly to the Home Office. The unexpected reshuffle is poised to provoke discontent among certain Tory MPs, with accusations of the prime minister capitulating to left-wing pressures.
Braverman, responding to her dismissal, cryptically stated she would “have more to say in due course.” Anticipation is high that she intends to launch a vigorous critique against Sunak, positioning herself as a rallying point for right-leaning Tories.
The New Conservatives, a populist-leaning alliance led by MPs Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, convened in Parliament on Monday afternoon to deliberate on the aftermath of the reshuffle. Although Braverman’s sacking wasn’t officially on the agenda, Kruger and Cates, known for staunchly defending her arguments, are expected to voice their concerns.
The catalyst for Braverman’s removal was her article in The Times, published last Thursday, where she alleged a bias in senior police officers favoring left-wing protesters over right-wing extremists. The article, not fully amended despite being submitted to Downing Street, is linked to heightened tensions during far-right protests near the Cenotaph on Saturday.
Braverman’s supporters within the parliamentary party, while mostly reserved in their immediate response, expressed dissent. Andrea Jenkyns, one of her backers, took to Twitter, stating, “I support @SuellaBraverman. Sacked for speaking the truth. Bad call by Rishi caving in to the left!”
This marks the second time Braverman has been forced out of the Home Secretary role in just over a year. The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, criticized Sunak for reappointing her in the first place, emphasizing the prime minister’s accountability for enabling Braverman’s divisive actions.
In the eyes of Labour’s Jess Phillips, Braverman holds the dubious distinction of being the “worst home secretary in living memory,” attributing this to a fundamental misunderstanding of her role. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey echoed these sentiments, labeling Braverman as never fit for the position, placing blame on the prime minister’s reluctance to remove her earlier.
Braverman, tasked with delivering on Sunak’s commitment to curb small boat crossings over the Channel, faced consistent controversy due to inflammatory comments on homelessness, asylum seekers, and her contentious labeling of Gaza ceasefire demonstrations as “hate marches.” The latest reshuffle has unveiled the deep-seated tensions within the Conservative Party, potentially reshaping its internal dynamics.
