After winning the Conservative Party leadership election with 56% of the vote by party members, Kemi Badenoch has today unveiled her new shadow cabinet - and there are several surprises.
Mel Stride, widely considered a safe pair of hands, was made Shadow Chancellor. However, Stride stood against Badenoch in the leadership contest.
It is perhaps a little surprising that the number two position was not awarded to one of Badenoch's more vocal supporters, but the move has been interpreted as a way of uniting the party from the start.
Andrew Griffith was one of those supporters, and was tipped by some to be in line for the Treasury. Griffith, however, ended up with the Shadow Business Secretary role.
Priti Patel has also made a comeback to frontline politics, after being awarded Shadow Foreign Secretary. Patel served as Home Secretary under Boris Johnson's administration, before quitting her post after Liz Truss became Prime Minister.
One of the biggest headlines of the day, however, was Chris Philp being announced as the new Shadow Home Secretary.
Philp's appointment was made particularly surprising by the absence of James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat from the shadow cabinet, who also ran against Badenoch in the leadership election.
It is understood that Cleverly and Tugendhat both informed Badenoch they did not want a shadow cabinet post.
Edward Argar replaced Jenrick-supporting Victoria Atkins as Shadow Health Secretary, who was demoted to Shadow Environment Secretary.
Argar's is a name largely unknown to the public, highlighting Badenoch's substance over style approach.
Other appointments included Robert Jenrick, who came second behind Badenoch in the leadership race, as the new Shadow Justice Secretary.
Laura Trott was appointed Shadow Education Secretary, Gareth Bacon as Shadow Transport Secretary, James Cartlidge as Shadow Defence Secretary, Helen Whately as Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, and Kevin Hollinrake as Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary.
No Image Changes Made.
Comments