“One may be tempted to think that David Cameron’s appointment as foreign secretary and elevation to the House of Lords is symbolic of a prime minister and government that is running out of ideas,” said Simon, 60, a retired IT professional from Chichester, historically a safe Tory seat. “However, that implies that Sunak had any ideas to start with.”
Simon, who voted Lib Dem at the last general election and is yet to make up his mind about how he will vote at the next one, is one of hundreds of people who shared with the Guardian what they make of Cameron’s shock return to government.
“There has been little evidence of any Conservative ideas, good or bad, for 14 years. Dog whistle politics – blaming those without the ability to defend themselves – has been one obvious strategy.
“I guess we’ll see over the next few days, but Cameron’s appointment might indicate a lurch towards the political centre in an attempt to win back middle ground Conservative voters who are thinking of deserting them at the next election. Will people forget the wreckage of our society and economy? Some people have short memories.”
Nick, 24, a civil servant from London, who has dual UK and EU citizenship, is in two minds about Cameron’s appointment as foreign secretary, and may end up as a voter Rishi Sunak will have won back with his new cabinet.
“Cameron’s return is a positive development. I feel it is moving the Tory party away from radical views that developed under the leadership of Boris Johnson. Now, we might see a more centrist government. Cameron was a strong advocate for the EU, meaning that the UK might move closer to the EU once again. [In terms of] negatives – I feel it would be better for the ruling party to bring someone new with fresh ideas to the table,” Nick says.
He voted Labour at the last general election, “due to the ongoing failed talks regarding the EU deal”, he says. But he is undecided about how he will vote at the next one.
“I think I’m once more leaning to vote for the Labour party, seeing the U-turns on different policies and the ongoing turmoil inside the Tory party. But the Tories can convince me to vote for them in the next general election if they actually deliver on their promises to reduce inflation, combat the housing crisis and maintain the level promised on environmental standards.
“The appointment of Cameron would lead me to vote for them more depending on his approach to UK-EU relations.”
Lisa Frederiksen, 55, a UK national who moved to Denmark with her family a few months after the 2016 Brexit referendum, cannot wrap her head around how Cameron has managed to rehabilitate himself politically.
“[Cameron’s appointment] shows the Tories are lacking vision, lacking drive and lacking talent.
“He lost my respect when he plunged the…
2023-11-14 10:49:16
Link from www.theguardian.com