Lord David Cameron resigns as Rishi Sunak reshuffles senior team after election coup

FORMER Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned from the bench as the Tories announce a ministerial reshuffle.

Rishi Sunak will continue to be the Conservatives’ interim shadow cabinet leader, but former Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and party chairman Richard Holden have resigned.

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The former Prime Minister struggled to assemble a team from his depleted ranks of 121 MPs to form an opposition to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s new government.

Posting on social media following the announcement of his resignation from the shadow cabinet, Lord Cameron said: “It has been a great honor to serve as Foreign Secretary, but clearly the Conservative Party in Opposition will need to keep up with the new Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons.

“So I told Rishi Sunak I was going to back off. I am delighted that the role of Shadow Foreign Secretary has been given to my good friend Andrew Mitchell.

“As a committed Conservative, I will continue to support the party and help where I can as we rebuild following the very disappointing election result.”

Holden said the review of the party’s election campaign “would be best undertaken with a fresh pair of eyes to help provide a clearer picture”.

Although Lord Cameron will step away from frontline politics, he will retain his seat in the House of Lords for life.

He was given a peerage last November so Rishi Sunak could make him Foreign Secretary.

Sunak has said he will remain leader of the Conservatives until his replacement is named.

Former deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has become shadow foreign secretary, while Richard Fuller – former economic secretary to the Treasury – is the new Conservative president.

The party appointed Jeremy Hunt as its shadow chancellor, with James Cleverly shadow home secretary, mirroring the portfolios they held in government.

Kemi Badenoch has become shadow leveling secretary, while Kevin Hollinrake will follow on from Mrs Badenoch’s former business secretary and Mims Davies will become shadow minister for women and equalities.

Fuller said in a statement: “The Conservative Party had a difficult election and it is important that we regroup and reflect on these results.

“We must also sincerely and deeply challenge ourselves about the strengths of the Conservative Party across the country and outline where improvements can be made.

“I am honored to have been asked to serve as interim chairman of the Conservative Party and to work alongside colleagues in the shadow cabinet.

“United as a party we will be ready and able to hold this new Labor government to account every step of the way.”

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir invited everyone to join his mission of “national renewal”.

Making an appeal to those who did not vote for his party, he said: “Whether you voted for the Labor Party or not, in fact, especially if you did not vote, I tell you directly: my government will serve you.”

Sir Keir – commanding a 174-seat majority – acknowledged that changing a country is not “like flipping a switch” and that “it will take a while”.

But he continued: “I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. I have no doubt we will rebuild Britain with the wealth created in every community.”

Sunak, however, sent an emotional message to Conservative MPs following the crushing defeat.

The former PM, who formally left number 10 on Friday morning, apologized to his colleagues and declared: “I regret not being able to deliver a better result.”

The Conservatives were reduced to their lowest number of seats ever.

Lord Cameron went to the X on Friday to pay tribute to Mr Sunak.

He said: “A change of prime minister and government is always a hugely significant moment for our country. I pay tribute to Rishi Sunak for his leadership, decency and the grace with which he left office today.

“I wish him and his family well. My thoughts are also with our new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.

“His success will be our success, so as he begins his work and solemn duties at Number 10, I send him my best wishes.”

In a separate post, he congratulated David Lammy on his appointment as Foreign Minister.

He said: “Congratulations David Lammy on your appointment as Foreign Minister.

“At a time when the world is more dangerous, more volatile, more conflictual than most of us ever imagined, your new role is more important than ever.

“The FCDO is full of great talent and experience that exemplifies the best of the British public service. I know they will serve you as well as they served me.

“I will be waiting for you to get to work defending Britain’s interests, and I wish you the best of luck.”

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