James Cleverly is set to return to the Conservative frontbench as shadow housing secretary, taking on Angela Rayner, in a reshuffle led by Kemi Badenoch. The former foreign secretary will be tasked with leading the party's housing policy.
Badenoch has retained key figures including shadow chancellor Mel Stride, shadow home secretary Robert Jenrick, and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, despite calls from some backbenchers for promotions of newer MPs. Richard Holden, former party chair, returns as shadow transport secretary, while Neil O'Brien joins the shadow cabinet for policy development.
Edward Argar has stepped down as shadow health secretary following a health scare, replaced by Stuart Andrew. Alan Mak is demoted to the backbenches, with Julia Lopez taking over as shadow technology secretary. Gareth Bacon becomes shadow London minister, and Kevin Hollinrake moves from housing to party chair, with Nigel Huddleston as shadow culture secretary.
Cleverly, who lost the leadership contest to Badenoch, warned against populism and dismissed suggestions he would challenge her. In his first comments as shadow housing secretary, he criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan over low housebuilding rates, highlighting that only 1,210 homes started in London in early 2025.
