Kemi Badenoch has removed Priti Patel from her role as shadow foreign secretary. The move forms part of a major Conservative Party reshuffle.
Patel will take a newly created international role within the Conservative Party. She will work on strengthening links with centre-right parties around the world.
Tom Tugendhat is expected to replace Patel as shadow foreign secretary. Badenoch reportedly views Tugendhat as a strong candidate for the position.
Tugendhat previously served as security minister and chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee. He also remains a prominent voice on international security issues.
The reshuffle follows several changes within Badenoch’s senior team. James Cleverly decided to leave the shadow cabinet and pursue the London mayoral race.
His departure created pressure for Badenoch to reorganise her top team. Other changes have also added to the Conservative leader’s reshuffle plans.
Julia Lopez currently shadows a department that no longer exists. The government recently scrapped the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, creating another vacancy.
Meanwhile, energy secretary Claire Coutinho plans to take maternity leave. Shadow solicitor general Helen Grant will also leave Parliament at the next election.
Badenoch previously said she would not reshuffle her top team. However, she now appears ready to make significant changes before the next general election.
Some Conservative figures believe the party needs a stronger strategy. They argue that the opposition has struggled to challenge Labour effectively on major issues.
Patel’s supporters have defended her government experience. They question why Badenoch would remove a politician with years of ministerial experience.
The potential reshuffle could also affect the shadow Treasury team. Andrew Griffith has emerged as a possible replacement for shadow chancellor Mel Stride.
Scottish MP Andrew Bowie could become shadow energy secretary. Harriet Cross could then replace him as shadow Scottish secretary.
Badenoch may also promote younger Conservative MPs. Katie Lam and Jack Rankin are among the names reportedly under consideration.
The reshuffle could shape the Conservative Party’s strategy ahead of the next election. Badenoch now faces pressure to build a stronger and more unified opposition.
