2025 British shadow cabinet reshuffle

On 22 July 2025, Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition, carried out a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet.[1] It was the first reshuffle since the leadership election concluded in November 2024.[2]

Changes

Minister Position(s) before reshuffle Position(s) after reshuffle Ref.
Edward Argar MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Backbench MP – Resigned for health reasons [3]
Stuart Andrew MP Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [4]
Julia Lopez MP Parliamentary private secretary to the leader of the opposition Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology [5]
Kevin Hollinrake MP Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Chairman of the Conservative Party [6]
James Cleverly MP Backbench MP Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [7]
Neil O'Brien MP Shadow Minister for Education Gained additional role of Shadow Minister for Policy Renewal and Development [8]
John Glen MP Backbench MP parliamentary private secretary to the leader of the opposition [7]
Matt Vickers MP Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Shadow Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire
Richard Holden MP Shadow Paymaster General Shadow Secretary of State for Transport [9]
Nigel Huddleston MP Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport [10]
Alan Mak MP Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Backbench MP [11]
Dominic Johnson, Baron Johnson of Lainston Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party Backbench peer
Gareth Bacon MP Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Shadow Minister for Housing & Planning

Analysis

Kemi Badenoch said her shadow cabinet showed the party's "mission of renewal".[12] Her leadership had been under media scrutiny by newspapers such as the New Statesman.[13] In the immediate aftermath of the reshuffle Badenoch downplayed potential leadership coup against her.[14] The return of James Cleverly to the frontbench was noted as the most important appointment[15] with Cleverly shadowing Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.[16] Robert Jenrick was overlooked for promotion[17] alongside newer MPs from the 2024 intake.[18] The changes were considered a political gamble amid low polling for the party.[19] Many of the most important roles such as shadow chancellor stayed the same[20] however, one major change was the promotion of Henry Newman to chief of staff to Badenoch.[21] Lee Rowley left the role, which as described as significant despite his closeness to Badenoch.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ Devlin, Kate; Mitchell, Archie; Gooch, Bryony; Dalton, Jane (22 July 2025). "Politics latest: Cleverly returns to shadow cabinet but Jenrick could miss out on top role in Tory reshuffle". The Independent.
  2. ^ Fraser, Tali (22 July 2025). "How Badenoch could go for a bold shadow cabinet reshuffle". Conservative Home. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Kemi Badenoch Brings Back James Cleverly In Shadow Cabinet Reshuffle". Politics Home. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  4. ^ "James Cleverly returns to face Angela Rayner as Kemi Badenoch reshuffles Tory shadow cabinet". Sky News. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  5. ^ Hymas, Charles; Maidment, Jack; Penna, Dominic (22 July 2025). "Cleverly returns to Tory front bench to take on Rayner". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Tory leader said to be making North Yorkshire MP party chairman". York Press. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b "James Cleverly gets new role as Kemi Badenoch reshuffles top team". BBC News. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  8. ^ "James Cleverly gets new role as Kemi Badenoch reshuffles top team". www.bbc.com. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  9. ^ Staff, Pa Political (22 July 2025). "Badenoch and Cleverly attack Labour housing record after Tory reshuffle". The Standard. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  10. ^ Barber, Bill (22 July 2025). "Nigel Huddleston to take over as shadow culture secretary following reshuffle by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  11. ^ Lynch, David (22 July 2025). "Cleverly set to return to Tory front bench as shadow housing secretary". The Standard. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Badenoch vows 'mission of renewal' as Cleverly returns in Tory reshuffle". The Irish News. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  13. ^ Lloyd, Will (23 July 2025). "Kemi Badenoch isn't working". New Statesman. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  14. ^ Lynch, David (23 July 2025). "Kemi Badenoch plays down prospect of leadership coup after Tory reshuffle". The Standard. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Is the Kemi reshuffle a Cleverly move?". Sky News. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Cleverly returns to Tory front bench as Badenoch reshuffles cabinet". AGCC. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  17. ^ "With her Tory reshuffle, what is Kemi Badenoch really up to?". The Independent. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  18. ^ Fraser, Tali (22 July 2025). "How Badenoch could go for a bold shadow cabinet reshuffle". Conservative Home. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  19. ^ Cecil, Nicholas; Watts, Matt; Burford, Rachael (22 July 2025). "Tory reshuffle: Badenoch to appoint Cleverly into shadow Cabinet as Argar steps down". The Standard. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  20. ^ Wilson, Eliot (22 July 2025). "Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet reshuffle was deliberately bland". The i Paper. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  21. ^ Heale, James (22 July 2025). "The real shock of the Tory reshuffle". The Spectator. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  22. ^ Heale, James (22 July 2025). "The real shock of the Tory reshuffle". The Spectator. Retrieved 23 July 2025.