STORY: Former UK PM David Cameron makes shock comeback as Sunak reshuffles cabinet
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 13, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 14, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:53
LOCATION: London
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): ZHAO XIAONA, Xinhua correspondent
2. various of views of former British Prime Minister David Cameron
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): IAIN BEGG, Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science
4. various of views of former British Prime Minister David Cameron
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): IAIN BEGG, Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): IAIN BEGG, Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): ZHAO XIAONA, Xinhua correspondent
"In a major reshuffle in Downing Street, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday appointed former Prime Minister David Cameron as Britain's new foreign secretary. Cameron succeeds James Cleverly, who has replaced Suella Braverman as the new home secretary."

The cabinet reshuffle took place as Braverman came under fire over her immigration policies and her criticism of police actions at recent demonstrations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): IAIN BEGG, Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science
"It's certainly a surprise that Rishi Sunak should decide to bring back one of his predecessors, David Cameron, as foreign secretary. But clearly, he had to do something about the problems created by his outgoing, fired Home Secretary Suella Braverman. So this is clearly an attempt to bring in serious experience at the top of government."

Cameron led the British government between 2010 and 2016. He resigned after Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. In a statement following the appointment, Cameron said Britain was "facing a daunting set of international challenges."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): IAIN BEGG, Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science
"David Cameron has been outside the political core since he resigned in 2016 after the Brexit vote, so it's a great surprise in that respect. But nevertheless, he's somebody with considerable experience, hence the boldness of the move that Sunak has made."

Monday's reshuffle came months ahead of Britain's next general election, which must be held by January 2025 at the latest. Downing Street said Jeremy Hunt will keep his role as chancellor of the exchequer.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): IAIN BEGG, Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science
"He (Sunak) wants to reboot his government in a way that's going to appeal to the British electorate in view of a general election due in the next year or so, possibly even as soon as May. So he wants to do something that says, I'm in charge, I'm taking things in a different direction, hoping that this very highly visible decision to appoint Cameron will be the way in which he can make that impact."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from London.
(XHTV)