David Cameron Returns as Foreign Secretary via House of Lords in Unprecedented Move

On Monday, November 13, 2023, David Cameron made a stunning political comeback, stepping back into the heart of British government as David Cameron’s new role as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. The twist? He wasn’t elected to Parliament. Not even close. To make it legal, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed him a life peer — a seat in the House of Lords. It’s the first time since Peter Carrington in the 1980s that a Foreign Secretary has operated from the unelected chamber. And it’s the first time a former Prime Minister has returned to Cabinet in over 70 years without having won a seat in the Commons.

A Return No One Saw Coming

Cameron, who resigned in 2016 after the Brexit referendum he called went disastrously wrong, had spent the past seven years mostly out of the spotlight — running charities, attending quiet dinners, and occasionally popping up on TV panels. But on Monday, the UK government announced he’d be taking over from James Cleverly, who moved from Foreign Secretary to Home Secretary after Suella Braverman was fired for breaching ministerial conduct rules. The timing was jarring: Braverman, a hardline conservative favorite, had been a symbol of the party’s rightward shift. Her ouster shocked many, but Cameron’s appointment stunned even seasoned insiders.

"It came as a surprise to seasoned politics-watchers," CBS News noted. And rightly so. The last time a former PM returned to Cabinet? Anthony Eden in 1955 — and even then, he was already a sitting MP. Cameron, by contrast, hasn’t stood for election since 2016. He’s not just out of Parliament — he’s out of the electoral system entirely.

The Lords Loophole

The House of Lords is not a democratic body. Its members are appointed, not elected. And while it can scrutinize legislation, it can’t hold ministers to account in the same way the Commons can. That’s why David Cameron’s presence there raises serious questions about accountability. He’s now responsible for Britain’s global relationships — from Ukraine to China, from Israel to the Global South — yet he answers to no voters. He’s not required to attend Prime Minister’s Questions. He doesn’t face daily grilling in the Commons.

Instead, his deputy, Andrew Mitchell, sits in the despatch box, fielding questions from MPs who have no authority over Cameron himself. Meanwhile, Cameron has appeared only once in the Lords, answering gentle questions on European affairs. He skipped a potential showdown with veteran Tory MP Bill Cash, opting instead for a trip to the Middle East. The Institute for Government put it bluntly: "Cameron is busy abroad, back at Westminster the story is rather different."

Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt acknowledged the problem. "The government is sympathetic to finding a way of improving accountability to the Commons," she said on November 14. But she offered no plan. No timeline. No proposal. Just words.

Why Now? Why Him?

Sunak’s motives are clear: Cameron brings experience, gravitas, and a global network. He’s also a known quantity — a centrist who can reassure allies in Washington and Brussels. And crucially, he’s aligned with Sunak on key issues. The BFPG reported on November 14 that Cameron had endorsed the government’s controversial Rwanda deportation plan, calling it the "best available option." That’s significant — the Supreme Court is set to rule on its legality on November 15, 2023. Cameron’s return could signal Sunak’s intent to push ahead, regardless of the verdict.

He’s also expected to oversee the release of the International Development Strategy on November 20. Will it be delayed for his input? Almost certainly. His fingerprints are already on it.

And here’s the kicker: Cameron’s life peerage means he’ll stay in the Lords — forever. Even if he leaves government next year, he’ll still be there. He’ll still be advising. Still influencing. Still part of the machinery. That’s unprecedented for a former PM.

A Pattern of Comebacks

This isn’t the first time the UK has bent its rules for political veterans. Ken Clarke returned to Cabinet under Cameron after 12 years on the backbenches. Peter Mandelson came back under Gordon Brown after seven years out. Both needed Lords appointments. But neither was a former Prime Minister. And neither had such a polarizing legacy.

Cameron’s tenure as PM was defined by austerity, tax cuts, and the Brexit gamble. He cut corporation tax from 28% to 19%. Raised VAT to 20%. Reduced the structural deficit by half. But he also presided over the referendum that shattered his party and fractured the country. Now, he’s being asked to rebuild Britain’s global standing — the very thing his actions helped destabilize.

What’s Next?

The Supreme Court’s Rwanda ruling on November 15 will be his first major test. Will he defend the policy publicly? Will he quietly shift gears if it’s struck down? And what about the next general election? If Labour wins, will they try to abolish the Lords — and with it, his permanent seat?

Meanwhile, backbench Tories are furious. Jacob Rees-Mogg called Braverman’s sacking "a mistake." But he didn’t say a word about Cameron’s return. That silence speaks volumes.