James Cleverly returns to front bench in shadow cabinet reshuffle

Politics
22 Jul 2025 • 8:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has begun a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet.
  • Sir James Cleverly has been appointed shadow secretary of state for housing, communities and local government.
  • A senior Tory source said Sir James, a former rival of Ms Badenoch’s for the leadership, would help “take the fight to this dreadful Labour government”.
  • The shadow cabinet reshuffle comes just eight months after Ms Badenoch was elected leader by Tory members and is an admission the party has been underperforming.
  • Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who also ran for the party leadership in 2024, is expected to miss out on a move to the highly coveted shadow chancellor role occupied by Sir Mel Stride.

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