Kemi Badenoch is set to promote backbench MPs to her top team, amid a reshuffle of her front bench before the Conservative Party's October conference. The move comes ahead of the expected departure of three frontbench shadow ministers, including prominent Tory MP Claire Coutinho, who is going on maternity leave.
Another vacancy will open when Prime Minister Andy Burnham dissolves the science and technology department, removing the need for an opposition counterpart in the shadow cabinet. The current Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology is Julia Lopez. Helen Grant, the shadow solicitor general, is also said to be planning to step down, after announcing she would not contest the next general election.
Promotions for ambitious backbenchers
The moves would pave the way for the promotion of several ambitious backbenchers to the inner circle of the Tory leader. Reporting in the Daily Telegraph suggested that the changes would take place before activists and MPs meet for their annual conference in Birmingham on October 4.
Promotions could be announced for Katie Lam, a shadow minister in the home office team, as well as Scottish MP Harriet Cross and the foreign affairs committee member Aphra Brandreth, daughter of former MP and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth.
Source criticises 'dead wood' on frontbench
Speaking to the Daily Express, a Conservative source said that it had been "painfully clear" for months that there was "too much dead wood hanging about the shadow frontbench." They added the Tory chief had been "right" to "wait and see how her first shadow team bedded in after the leadership contest" but urged her to press ahead with reported plans to shake up her team.
"If we are to take the fight to Burnham's socialist Labour Party and Reform, we need to get all the talent we have," the source said to this paper. They said that MPs from the 2024 intake should be moved into the shadow cabinet, adding "that needs to happen now."
MPs welcome plans
A backbench Tory MP, speaking to the Daily Express, welcomed the plans. They said "huge resources have been devoted to improving Kemi's personal ratings" but the party was still struggling. Opinion polls show the Conservatives have failed to make significant gains against their rivals in Reform UK and the Labour Party.
That's despite significant boosts to Mrs Badenoch's own personal brand, which has seen her enjoy a healthy approval rating. "The Shadow Cabinet needs more energy, fresh ideas and more political minds," a Tory MP said, as they urged Mrs Badenoch to press ahead with the move.
Any changes imposed by the leader would mark the second reshaping of her top team since she took office in November 2024.
