Meet your Shadow Cabinet IN FULL

Kemi Badenoch completed a significant Shadow Cabinet reshuffle on 31 August 2026, positioning the Conservatives for what she described as a shift “from recovery to preparation for government.” The changes came after James Cleverly resigned as Shadow Housing Secretary to pursue the Conservative nomination for the 2028 London mayoral election, and ahead of the party conference in October.

The move also followed Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister in July 2026 after Keir Starmer’s resignation. Polls at the time typically placed Labour and Reform UK ahead of the Conservatives, who sat in third place. Badenoch used the reshuffle to overhaul her economic team and promote several MPs first elected in 2024.

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Major changes

The most prominent departure was Sir Mel Stride, who had served as Shadow Chancellor since Badenoch became leader in November 2024. He was replaced by Andrew Griffith, previously Shadow Business Secretary and a former Sky executive and Just Eat chairman. Claire Coutinho moved to Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and was named Griffith’s deputy across the economic brief; Julia Lopez is covering the role during Coutinho’s maternity leave. Richard Fuller remains Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Dame Priti Patel left as Shadow Foreign Secretary after nearly two years and was given a new party international role. Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister and army reservist, took her place. Stuart Andrew stepped down as Shadow Health Secretary and was succeeded by Damian Hinds. Katie Lam, elected in 2024, replaced Cleverly at Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Other promotions included Andrew Bowie as Shadow Energy Security Secretary, Harriet Cross as Shadow Scottish Secretary, Rebecca Paul as Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, and Joy Morrissey as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.Badenoch said the outgoing team had “helped steady the ship and rebuild credibility” after the 2024 election. A senior Conservative source framed the new economic unit as focused on “growth, higher living standards and fiscal credibility.” Griffith described his task as delivering “an economic revolution” of lower taxes, reduced energy costs and less regulation.

The completed Shadow Cabinet

The senior team announced on 31 August 2026 is:

• Leader of the Opposition and Conservative Party: Kemi Badenoch

• Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Alex Burghart

• Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer: Andrew Griffith

• Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade: Claire Coutinho (Julia Lopez covering maternity leave)

• Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Richard Fuller

• Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs: Tom Tugendhat

• Shadow Home Secretary: Chris Philp

• Shadow Secretary of State for Defence: James Cartlidge

• Shadow Minister for Policy Renewal: Neil O’Brien

• Chairman of the Conservative Party: Kevin Hollinrake

• Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Helen Whately

• Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security: Andrew Bowie

• Shadow Secretary of State for Education: Laura Trott

• Shadow Secretary of State for Justice: Nick Timothy

• Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: Damian Hinds

• Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Victoria Atkins

• Shadow Secretary of State for Transport: Richard Holden

• Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government: Katie Lam

• Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: Rebecca Paul

• Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland: Harriet Cross

• Shadow Secretary of State for Wales: Mims Davies

• Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities: Joy Morrissey

• Shadow Leader of the House of Commons: Jesse Norman

• Shadow Leader of the House of Lords: Lord True

• Opposition Chief Whip: Rebecca Harris

• PPS to the Leader: John Glen

This line-up shadows Andy Burnham’s government, whose key figures include Chancellor John Healey, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Political context

The Conservatives remain well behind their 2024 vote share and sit third in most recent polls, typically in the high teens to low twenties, with Labour and Reform UK competing for first place. The reshuffle mixes experienced former ministers with newer MPs and attempts to sharpen the party’s economic message while keeping continuity in Home Office and Defence briefs. Whether the refreshed team can close the gap with both Labour and Reform will be tested at the autumn conference and in any early election.

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