In a major cabinet reshuffle ahead of an anticipated general election, British leader Rishi Sunak has ousted controversial Interior Minister Suella Braverman from her position. Braverman, known for her outspoken right-wing views, faced mounting criticism for her handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and counter-protests in the country.
The move comes amid growing pressure on Sunak to dismiss Braverman, who had been in the role since Sunak assumed the position of prime minister just over a year ago. The decision to remove Braverman was met with speculation about her replacement.
Following her dismissal, Braverman expressed gratitude for serving as home secretary, stating, “It has been the greatest privilege of my life.” She hinted at providing more details in due course.
The reshuffle within the ruling Conservatives is described as a significant realignment of Sunak’s top ministers, marking his first such move since taking office on October 25, 2022. The party, confirming the changes, indicated that Sunak aims to strengthen his government team for long-term decision-making, promising updates throughout the day.
Anticipation surrounds the reshuffle, which is expected to reward loyalists and younger emerging MPs. The Conservative Party, having been in power for nearly 14 years, faces challenges in maintaining popularity, consistently trailing the main Labour opposition by double-digit margins during Sunak’s leadership. The impending general election, slated for next year, is predicted to be a challenging battleground for the Tories.
Braverman’s tenure as interior minister was marked by controversy, with her hardline stance on immigration and involvement in divisive culture wars issues. The decision to remove her gained momentum after she penned a newspaper article last week, without Sunak’s approval, accusing the police of bias towards left-wing causes. The article heightened tensions ahead of weekend protests related to Israel’s conflict in Gaza, coinciding with Armistice Day events and triggering calls for her dismissal.