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Badenoch Overhauls Shadow Cabinet, Installing Tugendhat and Griffith

The leader has reworked the top team to sharpen defence credentials and build a pro-growth economic unit ahead of Parliament’s return.

Overview

  • On Monday Kemi Badenoch began a sweeping reshuffle that moved several senior figures off the front bench and confirmed new appointments.
  • Tom Tugendhat was named shadow foreign secretary as Dame Priti Patel left the foreign brief to take a party 'international' role and return to the backbenches.
  • Sir Mel Stride was removed as shadow chancellor and replaced by Andrew Griffith, who will lead a reoriented economic team with Claire Coutinho to cover business and energy responsibilities when she goes on maternity leave.
  • Stuart Andrew stood down as shadow health secretary and Sir James Cleverly quit the housing brief to run for London mayor, creating further vacancies being filled this week.
  • Badenoch framed the changes as a move to emphasise national security and growth and to present a tighter, leader-focused opposition before the autumn conference and a possible early general election.