The Conservative Party has announced a reshuffle as former ministers and returning MPs transition to become the shadow cabinet.
Lord Cameron He has resigned from Rishi Sunak’s bench, having been Foreign Secretary before Labor’s election victory on Thursday, and has now been replaced in the shadow role by his deputy, Andrew Mitchell.
Furthermore, despite getting a place in last week’s vote, Richard Holden stepped down as chairman of the Conservative party, with Richard Fuller taking his place in the interim.
Writing in his resignation letter, Holden said a “thorough review of the general election campaign” was needed but would be “best done with a fresh pair of eyes to help provide a clearer picture”.
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In a statement, Fuller said the party had had “a difficult election” but said it was now “important that we regroup and reflect on these results”.
He added: “We must also challenge ourselves candidly and deeply about the strengths of the Conservative Party across the country and outline where improvements can be made.”
A total of 175 Conservative MPs lost their seats in Labor’s landslide victory last week, including 11 ministersleaving just 121 members compared to the government’s 412.
The electoral massacre left Sunak as leader of the opposition and with a series of gaps to fill in his bench.
But with the former prime minister confirming he will step down as leader once the process to elect a successor is in place, it is unclear how long this shadow cabinet will remain.
Richard Holden faced allegations he parachuted to safety before the election.
Other changes at the top include Kemi Badenoch becoming shadow leveling secretary, putting her in the Labor Party’s Angela Rayner dispatch box, James Cartlidge becoming shadow defense secretary to replace Grant Shapps, and Ed Argar becoming shadow secretary of shadow justice to replace Alex Chalk.
Other replacements for outgoing ministers include Andrew Griffith taking over the science, innovation and technology briefing from now former MP Michelle Donelan, Chris Philp becoming shadow leader of the House from Penny Mordaunt, and Damian Hinds becoming shadow education secretary instead of Gillian Keegan.
Julia Lopez will become shadow culture secretary after Lucy Frazer lost her seat, Helen Whately will look after transport after the loss of Mark Harper and Andrew Bowie will take over as shadow veterans minister from Johnny Mercer.
Fuller concluded: “United as a party we will be ready and able to hold this new Labor government to account every step of the way.”
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
