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Today, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is planning a significant reshuffle of her top team of shadow ministers. The changes are expected to see the return of Sir James Cleverly, a former foreign secretary and home secretary, to the front bench. Meanwhile, Mel Stride is set to retain his position as shadow chancellor. Originally, Badenoch was only intending to make minor adjustments to her frontbench team due to a few shadow ministers wanting to step down for personal reasons. However, reports suggest that a larger shake-up is now on the cards, with approximately six changes expected, including the reappointment of Sir James in a prominent role.
One significant departure from Badenoch’s team will be Shadow health secretary Edward Argar, who has announced his decision to step down following a “health scare.” In a letter to Badenoch, the Melton and Syston MP revealed his intention to reduce his workload in the coming months to focus on recovering and restoring his health. The full details of the reshuffle are anticipated to be announced later in the afternoon on Tuesday, with no prospects for promotions to the shadow cabinet for Conservative MPs from the 2024 intake.
Badenoch’s current front bench lineup features prominent figures like shadow home secretary Chris Philp, Dame Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary, and Laura Trott handling education affairs. A party insider confirmed the reshuffle, emphasizing that it reflects the next phase of the party’s policy renewal initiative and highlights the unity under new leadership. Sir James Cleverly, who is set to return to a prominent role, is expected to lead the charge against the current Labour government, following his unsuccessful bid in the Tory leadership contest in October 2024. His specific role within the shadow cabinet remains undisclosed at this time, having received a knighthood in April 2025 as part of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s honors list.
This reshuffle occurs approximately eight months into Kemi Badenoch’s leadership of the Conservative Party, a period characterized by the party consistently polling behind Labour, Reform UK, and occasionally the Liberal Democrats. In May’s local elections, the Tories faced setbacks, losing control of 16 councils. Despite these challenges, Badenoch remains focused on improving her leadership over time, recognizing that change within the party will not happen overnight. In response to the reshuffle, a Labour source criticized the move as a sign of panic, suggesting that the same individuals responsible for past failures will remain in key positions within the Tory party
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