David Cameron's return sparks furious claims that Tories have abandoned Red Wall

The shock return of David Cameron to frontline politics led to furious claims that Rishi Sunak has abandoned the Red Wall.

Mr Sunak revived the former PM’s political fortunes and made him Foreign Secretary – ending the Cabinet career of Suella Braverman in a brutal phone sacking.

The newly-ennobled Lord Cameron vowed to be “part of the strongest possible team” for the next election.

But Tory MPs who won in Labour areas at the 2019 election said that the centre-Right had been “purged” from the Cabinet and warned: “enough is enough”.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns submitted a letter of no confidence in the Premier to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the Tories’ 1922 Committee.

She wrote: “If it wasn’t bad enough that we have a party leader that the party members rejected, the polls demonstrate that the public reject him, and I am in full agreement. It is time for Rishi Sunak to go.”

Dame Andrea said forcing Boris Johnson out of No 10 had been “unforgivable enough”, but now Mr Sunak had decided to “purge the centre-right from his cabinet and then sack Suella who was the only person in the cabinet with the balls to speak the truth of the appalling state of our streets and a two-tier policing system that leaves Jewish community in fear for their lives and safety”.

Seven years after quitting when he lost the Brexit referendum, Lord Cameron is now one of the most powerful figures in Government.

Just a month after he hit out at Mr Sunak for his decision to slash HS2 plans, the Foreign Secretary said while he “disagreed with some individual decisions” the PM is “showing exemplary leadership” at a difficult time.

Tory centrists hailed the appointment of a hugely experienced “team player”. But MPs representing the Red Wall of ex-Labour seats and on the Right of the party said the move was a return to the “liberal Cameroon consensus” of old.

One said: “It is utterly bizarre. The PM is trolling the Right of the party. The optics of this reshuffle are clear.” While another senior Tory said the reshuffle showed that Mr Sunak has “given up on the Red Wall”.

Former Tory treasurer Lord Cruddas also criticised his actions, saying: “The coup is complete, Remain has won and democracy has lost.”

Mr Sunak insisted his Cabinet shake-up had “built a united team ready to deliver the changes this country needs for the long term.

“Professionalism, integrity and experience – this is a team that will be bold in making the right decisions for our great country, not the easy ones.”

Lord Hague, who was involved in the return of Lord Cameron to Government, said his “renewed prominence” is a “reminder that the Cabinet in which he will be sitting is mainstream and centre-right.

“People have to know that despite endless scandals and divisions, their Government is led by a group of serious people who make a strong team.”

Mr Sunak has been planning a reshuffle since before the summer to finalise the line-up that will lead the Tories into the next election.

Lord Cameron’s appointment is understood to have been under consideration since before the row that led to the sacking of Home Secretary Mrs Braverman erupted last week. He will give up his outside interests – and the payments he receives as a former Prime Minister – while he holds the role, instead taking a Cabinet salary.

Lord Cameron vowed to help the PM “deliver the security and prosperity our country needs”, adding: “Working to help ensure stability and security on the global stage is both essential and squarely in our national interest.

“International security is vital for our domestic security. Though I may have disagreed with some individual decisions, it is clear to me that Rishi Sunak is a strong and capable Prime Minister, who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time.”

Lord Cameron insisted the storm over his lobbying ministers on behalf of Greensill bank, two years after he quit No 10, was “in the past”.

He said he would be bound by collective responsibility as a member of Mr Sunak’s Cabinet, but acknowledged there had been disagreements between the two.

The peer told broadcasters: “As an ex-Prime Minister, I’ve tried to keep quiet about politics, stay out of politics. It’s hard enough being Prime Minister without having your predecessors endlessly giving a running commentary.

“But of course I have disagreed with some individual decisions, but politics is a team enterprise.

“I have decided to join this team because I believe Rishi Sunak is a good Prime Minister, doing a difficult job at a hard time.

“I want to support him, I’m a member of the team. I accept the Cabinet collective responsibility.”

Lord Cameron claimed he will be properly answerable in his new role, despite not facing regular questioning from MPs in the Commons, saying in his first interview as Foreign Secretary: “I will be held to account in the House of Lords where I have to account for myself and the Government.”

He said Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell and others will be held to account in the lower chamber of Parliament.

Lord Cameron added: “This Government, my role in it, all of that will be accountable to the electorate at the general election when it comes.

“But in the meantime I want to do everything to strengthen our alliances, to work with our friends, to build those vital partnerships, to make sure our country is secure and prosperous in a difficult and dangerous world.”

The Treasury Committee criticised his “significant lack of judgment” for privately lobbying ministers to try to secure access to an emergency Covid loan scheme for now-failed Greensill, where he took up a role in 2018.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper described Lord Cameron’s shock return to the Cabinet as “an excellent move” and added: “I was in David Cameron’s Government as his chief whip. He’s a team player, hugely experienced.”

Ex-PM Theresa May, who was Home Secretary in the Cameron administration, said: “His immense experience on the international stage will be invaluable at this time of great uncertainty in our world.”

Mrs May added: “Looking forward to working together again.”

James Cleverly was moved from the Foreign Office to replace Mrs Braverman at the Home Office.

He said: “I am absolutely committed to stopping the [migrants’]boats as we promised, but also making sure that everybody in the UK feels safe and secure going about their daily business knowing that the Government is here to protect them.

“It is a real privilege to serve.”