Following criticism for heightening tensions during Remembrance Day protests in the UK, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak removed Home Secretary Suella Braverman from her position. This article seeks to explore the reasons behind Braverman’s firing by Sunak. Additionally, it delves into the potential impacts of Braverman’s dismissal on UK politics. Meanwhile, public reaction to Suella Braverman’s sacking is discussed.
Massive reshuffle in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet
In recent days, Rishi Sunak’s government has undergone significant cabinet reshuffling, notably marked by the removal of Home Secretary Suella Braverman. A spokesperson from the Prime Minister’s office confirmed, “Rishi Sunak requested Suella Braverman’s departure from the government, and she has agreed.” This dismissal of Braverman aligns with broader cabinet adjustments orchestrated by Sunak. There are indications that further changes within the cabinet are anticipated in the upcoming days. Following Thérèse Coffey’s resignation, Steve Barclay, the Former Health Secretary, has assumed the role of the new Environment Secretary.
Pursuing extreme right policies by Braverman
The reasons behind Suella Braverman’s firing don’t need much investigation because she had recently disagreed with the Prime Minister on many issues. Suela Braverman‘s dismissal comes after several weeks of controversy over her pursuit of far-right policies. Her widely criticized remarks portrayed homelessness as a voluntary lifestyle. This marks the second time Braverman was ousted from the Home Secretary position within a year. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss held the post briefly for a few weeks and demanded Braverman’s resignation in October last year.
Braverman’s positions against the supporters of Palestine
In an article published in The Times, Suella Braverman asserted that there exists a perception of favouritism among senior officers concerning protesters. She alleged a disparity in police behaviour, suggesting that right-wing extremists face harsher treatment compared to pro-Palestinian troublemakers. Criticizing the stance of the London police, she remarked, “Right-wing and nationalist protesters exhibiting aggression are appropriately met with a firm response, while pro-Palestinian groups demonstrating similar behaviour are often disregarded, even when violating the law.” Following the publication of this article, the mounting pressure on Sunak to dismiss Braverman intensified.
Conservatives call for the removal of Suella Braverman
Dominic Grieve, a former government general counsel, described Braverman’s comments as unacceptable. He told the BBC Newsnight that the Home Secretary had disrupted the government. Bob Neill, a conservative representative and chairman of the justice committee, also said that Braverman’s position in the government is untenable.
Labour Party’s criticism of Braverman’s positions
The opposition also voiced criticism. Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, expressed concern that Braverman’s actions exacerbated tensions and hindered efforts to ease police tensions. The political conflict surrounding the Middle East war has thrust Britain into a governmental crisis. Rishi Sunak faces mounting internal pressure to dismiss the contentious Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. As the government advocates for the upcoming ban on pro-Palestinian gatherings to commemorate the end of World War I, British police oppose this move, viewing the march as the protesters’ rightful demonstration.
Intensification of the tense atmosphere in the right-wing conservatives
Public reaction to Suella Braverman’s sacking has been neutral, but there is disagreement among conservatives over her dismissal. In an angry letter, the former Home Secretary accused the Prime Minister of betraying the people and not fulfilling his promises.
Rishi Sunak’s betrayal of British demands
In a warning letter to Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman accused the British Prime Minister of exacerbating the tense atmosphere in the right-wing conservatives. She blamed his former boss for betraying the people and breaking his promise to take strict measures against the increasing number of immigrants.
The former Home Secretary has accused Sunak in a letter and broke his silence a day after being sacked during a cabinet reshuffle. She told Sunak: “Either your distinctive style of government means you are incapable of doing so. Or, as I must surely conclude now, you never had any intention of keeping your promise.”
Braverman’s accusation against Rishi Sunak
Sunak’s spokesman said the prime minister was proud to appoint a strong, united team to reshuffle the cabinet. Braverman’s backing significantly paved the way for Sunak to Downing Street just weeks after she lost an internal party battle to Liz Truss. Braverman now accuses Sunak of having “no personal mandate to be prime minister”.
Increasing intra-party criticism of Rishi Sunak
Sunak has encountered ongoing criticism regarding his leadership capabilities, notably from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries. Both alleged that Sunak lacks the credentials and essential qualities required for the prime ministerial role. The reasons surrounding Suella Braverman’s dismissal, regardless of what they might be, have contributed to dissatisfaction among certain conservatives toward Rishi Sunak.
The publication of Braverman’s letter at a critical time
Braverman’s letter was published at a critical time and was written just one day before the Supreme Court ruled on the legality of the government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. This plan is supported by Sunak and Braverman and is considered a cornerstone of the government’s immigration policy. Sunak’s promise to stop the boats carrying migrants was one of the most important promises to the voters.
Sunak’s failure to implement the immigration plan
The execution of these plans encountered hurdles. Presently, Braverman accuses Sunak of complicating the implementation of the Rwandan plan by pushing for immigration laws that hinder it. Allegedly, Sunak aims to uphold the European Convention on Human Rights. In her written statement, Braverman stated, “Should we lose in the supreme court—an outcome I consistently stressed we should prepare for—you’ll have squandered a year and an act of parliament, only to return to square one. Your impractical optimism has left us without any credible Plan B.”
The impact of Braverman’s dismissal on the UK political landscape
The controversial removal of the Interior Minister transpired amid his known alignment with far-right policies. There are also assertions that Braverman sought to provoke Rishi Sunak into removing her from the cabinet, potentially later to leverage harsh criticisms against Sunak’s fragile political standing and vie for power herself. Braverman’s critique of Sunak’s immigration and refugee policies is anticipated to gain broader traction, possibly fostering distrust towards Sunak among other Conservative Party members and encouraging ambitions to assume leadership.
Right-wing conservatives rage against Rishi Sunak.
The reasons behind Suella Braverman’s firing are logical, but David Cameron’s re-employment in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet is a source of ambiguity and surprise for many analysts. The left-wing Labor opposition saw Cameron’s appointment as foreign secretary as evidence that the government had abandoned its ideas. Braverman said Sunak’s prime ministership is “uncertain, weak, and lacking in the qualities of leadership that this country needs.” Sunak’s decision to fire Braverman, one of the figures of the conservative faction, has right-wing conservatives ready to fight. This tense situation with the appointment of David Cameron became worse as Foreign Secretary.
