The last foreign secretary in office longer than two years was William Hague, whose four-year stint ended in 2014 when Philip Hammond took over. Since then a series of seven different Conservative ministers have served an average of 1.4 years in post.

During this time there has been a lot of political upheaval, from Brexit to the revolving door in No 10, but there have also been huge changes in the balance of power across the world.

It is perhaps unsurprising then that the UK has found itself on the receiving end of criticism that it has stepped back at a time when many expected it to step up.

Into that vacuum walked David Cameron, appointed Foreign Secretary last November, to the surprise of most of Westminster. Except of course William Hague, who knew about the appointment days before and has admitted to briefing the incoming Foreign Secretary on his own views on global affairs before the announcement.

This prompted suggestions that Hague brokered meetings between Sunak and Cameron in a bid to encourage the PM to make foreign affairs a priority. Hague has denied the idea to appoint........

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