Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has today announced her full Shadow Cabinet, rounding off a series of key appointments designed to reshape the Conservative front bench and strengthen her party’s position of holding Labour to account.
After a gradual rollout of appointments yesterday, the complete lineup has now been revealed, marking a fresh direction for the Tories under Badenoch’s leadership.
Among the high-profile appointments, Mel Stride MP has been named Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, set to challenge Labour’s Rachel Reeves on fiscal policy and economic growth. Dame Priti Patel MP steps into the role of Shadow Foreign Secretary, bringing her experience and bold stance on international relations to the role.
Chris Philp MP takes on the critical position of Shadow Home Secretary, while Alex Burghart MP has been appointed as Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. James Cartlidge MP joins the team as Shadow Defence Secretary, with Robert Jenrick MP overseeing the Justice brief.
The new education remit falls to Laura Trott MP as Shadow Education Secretary, and Ed Argar MP will take on Health and Social Care in the ever-crucial role of Shadow Health Secretary.
Badenoch’s newly-formed team is rounded out by key figures including Victoria Atkins MP for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andrew Griffith MP as Shadow Business and Trade Secretary, and Gareth Bacon MP for Transport. Claire Coutinho MP is notable for her dual role as Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Shadow Minister for Equalities.
Notably, Nigel Huddleston MP and Lord Johnson will co-chair the party, tasked with driving Badenoch’s vision forward. Dame Rebecca Harris MP has been appointed Opposition Chief Whip, charged with party discipline and cohesion as the Conservatives navigate a challenging political landscape.
With Badenoch’s appointments set, the Conservative Party is gearing up for a renewed focus on holding Labour to account. They met first time today at 10am.
The full shadow cabinet is as follows:
- Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer: Mel Stride MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs: Dame Priti Patel MP
- Shadow Home Secretary: Chris Philp MP
- Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Alex Burghart MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Defence: James Cartlidge MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Justice: Robert Jenrick MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Education: Laura Trott MP
- Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary: Ed Argar MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Kevin Hollinrake MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Victoria Atkins MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade: Andrew Griffith MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Shadow Minister for Equalities: Claire Coutinho MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Helen Whately MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Transport: Gareth Bacon MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: Stuart Andrew MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: Alan Mak MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Shadow Minister of State for Energy and Net Zero: Andrew Bowie MP
- Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Shadow Minister for Women: Mims Davies MP
- Opposition Chief Whip (Commons): Dame Rebecca Harris MP
- Shadow Leader of the House of Commons: Jesse Norman MP
- Shadow Leader of the House of Lords: Lord True
- Co-Chairmen of the Party: Nigel Huddleston MP & Lord Johnson
- Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Richard Fuller MP
Also attending: Parliamentary Private Secretary: Julia Lopez MP
