Badenoch Unveils First Major Tory Frontbench Reshuffle

Kemi Badenoch has conducted her first major reshuffle of the Conservative shadow cabinet since becoming leader after the party's 2024 election defeat. Sir James Cleverly, former Foreign and Home Secretary, returns as Shadow Housing Secretary to help bolster leadership and party unity. Stuart Andrew replaces Ed Argar, who resigned for health reasons, as Shadow Health Secretary, while Kevin Hollinrake is named party chair. The moves are seen as an attempt to resist a shift to the far right, counter the threat from Reform UK, and reassert the party's presence in the political center. Badenoch's reshuffle has been described as a response to poor poll numbers and internal pressures, aiming to revive Conservative prospects. Party leadership hopes the changes will strengthen their opposition to Labour and mitigate defections to rival parties.