Cleverly back as Badenoch reshuffles shadow cabinet

Kemi Badenoch has carried out a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet, with Sir James Cleverly returning to the Conservative Party front bench.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL DAVID MADDOX KATE DEVLIN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

The Tory leader has brought her former leadership rival back to the frontline to build party unity and bolster the party's credibility.

A senior Tory source said Sir James would help “take the fight to this dreadful Labour government”.

Ms Badenoch made a series of changes to her top team yesterday, with the source adding that they “reflect the next stage of the party’s policy renewal programme and underline the unity of the party under new leadership”.

Sir James was appointed shadow housing secretary and will be Angela Rayner's opposite number and go head to head with her in the Commons.

Despite reports that Robert Jenrick was gunning for his job, Sir Mel Stride stayed on as shadow chancellor in a blow to Ms Badenoch’s other main rival for the leadership.

Ex-foreign secretary Sir James was the most high-profile name appointed to the front bench yesterday. Other big names from the last Conservative government, such as Suella Braverman, were not called upon by Ms Badenoch. Sir James replaced Kevin Hollinrake, who will become Conservative Party chairman.

MP Stuart Andrew moved from his role in culture to the health brief, replacing the current shadow health secretary Ed Argar. Mr Argar was the first casualty of Ms Badenoch’s reshuffle, with the Tory leader thanking him for his service.