With the Conservative Party still recovering from a bruising general election defeat, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is making strategic moves to boost visibility and leadership strength. As MPs prepare to leave Westminster for the summer recess, Badenoch has refreshed her top team—signaling that she’s ready to get her party back in the spotlight.
Who’s in the Shadow Cabinet Now? Even Journalists Struggle to Name Them
It's a familiar challenge among Westminster insiders: how many members of the Conservative shadow cabinet can you actually name?
After a crushing defeat in last year’s general election that slashed the Tories down to just 120 MPs, the party has struggled to regain public attention. But eight months into her leadership, Kemi Badenoch is taking a bold step by making changes to her shadow cabinet.
Why Now?
The timing coincides with the confirmed resignation of Edward Argar as Shadow Health Secretary, reportedly due to illness. It’s a crucial portfolio, and Badenoch saw the opportunity not only to replace Argar but to inject new energy into her front bench just before the summer break.
The Big Names: Cleverly Back in Play
The most notable return is that of Sir James Cleverly, now appointed to shadow Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Cleverly recently gave a speech cautioning the party against mimicking Reform UK policies. A seasoned communicator, he’s known as a centrist Conservative and is skeptical about leaving the European Convention on Human Rights—an issue that continues to divide the party.
His return is seen as a strategic move, with Badenoch clearly valuing his ability to go head-to-head with a heavyweight like Rayner.
Other Key Changes
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Kevin Hollinrake has been named the new Conservative Party Chairman.
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Stuart Andrew takes over the Shadow Health brief.
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Mel Stride remains as Shadow Chancellor.
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Robert Jenrick, runner-up in last year's leadership contest, continues as Shadow Justice Secretary.
Jenrick has built a reputation for attention-grabbing moments—like chasing down fare-dodgers on the Tube—and some suspect he’s still harboring ambitions for party leadership. Badenoch, however, has dismissed such concerns, saying in April that it's fine for shadow cabinet members to advocate for the Conservative cause beyond their immediate briefs.
Strategic Risks for Long-Term Gains
With the Conservatives polling third or even fourth nationally, every ounce of media coverage matters. Sir James Cleverly’s return could be a game-changer in this regard. His performance at last year’s Tory conference already proved he can captivate the party base—and potentially steal the limelight.
If that means a few stories about past rivals stealing headlines at this year’s conference, it might be a trade-off Badenoch is willing to accept to boost the party’s visibility.
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