New Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has made significant appointments to her shadow cabinet, including Dame Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary and Mel Stride as shadow chancellor. Both Patel and Stride were former government ministers and candidates in the early stages of the Tory leadership race.
Badenoch’s leadership rival, Robert Jenrick, has been offered multiple roles within the shadow cabinet but has yet to accept one. A Conservative source commented:
“Kemi just doesn’t like Rob. She thinks his whole schtick about her and whether she has any policies has done her lasting damage with the Right and with Reform voters.”
The source added that this situation is likely to “further unravel.” There are ongoing discussions regarding several vacant positions, particularly in departments such as health, work and pensions, justice, and housing.
In addition to Patel and Stride, Laura Trott has been appointed as shadow education secretary, while Neil O’Brien takes on the role of shadow education minister. They have already appeared in their new capacities during Education Questions in the House of Commons. Furthermore, Nigel Huddleston and Lord Dominic Johnson have been named joint chairmen of the Conservative Party.
Badenoch was elected as leader of the Conservative Party after securing 12,418 more votes than Jenrick in a party member poll. In a meeting at Conservative headquarters, she expressed optimism about returning to power within five years, emphasizing the need to listen to local Tory voices and focus on winning council seats in the upcoming May elections.
Dame Priti Patel has served as MP for Witham since 2010 and held various governmental roles. Notably, she initiated a controversial Rwanda policy aimed at deterring illegal crossings of the English Channel before it was scrapped by the new Labour government. A staunch supporter of Brexit, she is seen as aligned with the right wing of her party.
Conversely, Mel Stride represents a more moderate perspective within the party. He won his seat in Central Devon in 2010, served as work and pensions secretary, and had significant media presence during national elections.
Trott has been MP for Sevenoaks since 2019, while O’Brien was elected to represent Harborough in 2017. Despite their different backgrounds—Trott and Huddleston supporting Badenoch while O’Brien backed Jenrick—the new appointments signify Badenoch’s intention to create a diverse team that reflects various experiences within her party.
A formal announcement detailing all shadow cabinet positions is anticipated before their inaugural meeting on Tuesday.
Kemi Badenoch’s New Appointments in the Conservative Party Newly elected Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has begun to assemble her top team ahead of the inaugural shadow cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Robert Jenrick Joins Kemi Badenoch’s Shadow Cabinet Robert Jenrick has taken on the role of shadow justice secretary in Kemi Badenoch’s senior team, as reported by the BBC.