The Badenoch reshuffle in full:
Demotions:
LOTO personnel changes:
CCHQ is saying tonight this is not the end to a shake-up across the Tory political operation. As Guido was first to reveal earlier this month, the appointments follow Lord Mark McInnes coming in as CEO of the Conservative Party. You’re either in front of Guido, or you are behind…
Insiders view the reshuffle as light-touch – most moves were predicted and trailed. The lack of promotions for the 2024 intake and standout Commons performers like Katie Lam and Nick Timothy has been noted widely by MPs and commentators alike. Key leadership candidate Rob Jenrick remains in the same post, there is no change of Shadow Chancellor, and multiple figures who were widely touted as certain exits from the Shadow Cabinet also remain in place…
As for the LOTO team, a shakeup was desperately needed. For what it’s worth, Maude is seen as a key Gove ally, and the appointment of his former SpAd Henry Newman relieves Lee Rowley of the high stakes post of Chief of Staff. Allies say these are important shifts in the leader’s office and will bring in experience, particularly in policy, which might quicken in pace under the new team…
As of tonight the Conservatives remain roughly a net of ten points behind Reform in most polls. The Tories have much bigger problems than who’s in the top team…
In today’s Tory reshuffle Guido can reveal that strong performer Neil O’Brien has been promoted by Badenoch to the Shadow Cabinet – given a new role as ‘Shadow Minister for Policy Renewal and Development.’ He will lead on the policy programme as Party Conference approaches on 5 October…
O’Brien is a former SpAd to Osborne and subsequently Theresa May and served as a levelling up minister under Boris. He’s being moved from the education team up to Shadow Cabinet…
He is one of the most prolific new thinkers and he well connected to the now-influential online right. A sound hire…
James Cleverly has been appointed Shadow MHCLG, Kevin Hollinrake Party Chairman, Stuart Andrew Shadow Health and Nigel Huddleston Shadow DCMS. Five confirmed appointments so far…
UPDATE:
Julia Lopez takes DSIT from Alan Mak.
Richard Holden takes Transport from Gareth Bacon.
There is a little communications uncertainty ahead of the Tory reshuffle this afternoon – the lack of any concrete moves has set off a powder keg of media and parliamentary speculation. And unsurprisingly some dissatisfaction in Guido’s inbox at the mooted moves…
This sums up the hypothetical state of play – though Guido should emphasise this is based on internal or media rumour and not yet confirmed. Stride is said to be safe as Shadow Chancellor – a question is continually raised there over his position on various economic issues. The Tories say Cleverly will be returning – a nugget briefed to the BBC this morning – with no follow up as yet. Ed Argar has stepped down as Shadow Health Secretary – this was expected and is a voluntary move. There is a wild rumour going around (via The Telegraph) that Badenoch loyalist Rachel Maclean is set to replace Lord True as Shadow Leader of the Lords. Many Tories think that simply can’t be right…
It’s all but confirmed that Kevin Hollinrake is set to become party chairman. Stuart Andrew’s fate is said to hang in the balance with either an exit or a promotion on the cards. So far there has only been an exchange of letters with Argar before official confirmations this afternoon. Tories – not to mention the hacks – are madly discussing the rumours and are increasingly antsy. Wouldn’t it be better just to stick it all out there…
There is wild briefing about the timing and content of a Downing Street reshuffle. Three main variants: Cabinet shuffle, mid-ranking ministerial shuffle, Downing Street personnel shuffle…
Proposals for a Cabinet reshuffle have died down and Guido hears from a Downing Street source that while things are unclear as they stand going into Summer recess there will be “definitely no shuffle before September” and on the whole “energy has gone out of doing it this side of Christmas.” The PM guaranteed DCMS’ survival this afternoon at the Liaison Committee. Top-ranking ministers sitting safe for now – ministers can plough ahead with more mad policy over August with no parliamentary oversight…
The primary focus in Downing Street is on the inbound budget, which will come some time after Labour Conference at the end of September. There will not be the appetite to rock the boat in between those two events if Starmer can get away with it…
Chaos surrounding Labour’s “Phase Two” in government has delayed talk of an impending reshuffle. Starmer’s lost the appetite…
The plan at the beginning of the year was to go after the dust settled from the Spending Review. There is little chance of that now…
Poorly-sourced speculation stories from newspapers that there would be a reshuffle before then – also putting up Phillipson and Hermer as write-offs – have proven wide of the mark. Typical…
Some wobbles over Reeves have been stabilised and Guido hears from Downing Street sources that despite hopes from the Labour backbenches there is “no chance” she will leave in the short-term. Reeves is useful to Starmer as a punching bag – for as long as she can weather it…
Rayner resolved her arguments at the Spending Review and has been guaranteed the housing brief. Starmer is as usual intensely focussed on foreign policy and visits, the team and execution for which have been polished by Downing Street. Can’t run from the voters forever…
Guido hears that plans are now up in the air – current thinking has any reshuffle taking place around conference season. The first McSweeney reshuffle may have to wait a few more months…
The main rule when it comes to briefing about the next reshuffle is: You should always brief about the next reshuffle. Wouldn’t want the ministers getting too relaxed now…
The i has put out some thinly-sourced speculation which manages to get the date of the “March” Spending Review wrong. It’s in June…
Guido hears the current plan is to execute a small targeted reshuffle after the Spending Review. Numerous government sources tell Guido Downing Street is impressed by the 2024 intake of MPs and will move some of the most capable into lower and middling ministerial positions. Take note new MPs…
When it comes to senior ministers Guido hears any live issues will be dealt with at that point. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is at risk of being moved – one Downing Street source says there is disquiet “with her grip on the issues there” and that there have been “too many unforced errors, even for the Home Office.” As a “Mission Department” responsible for immigration and law and order the Home Office is constantly in the news – policy/communications mismanagements blow up much more readily…
Guido is told Rachel Reeves’ ability to stay on as Chancellor has long rested on how the difficult multi-year Spending Review goes down. Reliable fixer Pat McFadden is ready to fill the boots in case Reeves finds herself out of a job. The same applies to the Home Office. He may be getting the keys to No 11 sooner than he thought seeing as Reeves is under significant pressure as of today…
There is some consternation regarding business secretary Jonathan Reynolds – Guido hears Downing Street is unconvinced he is “the right man for a world where trade is front and centre.” Trade minister Douglas Alexander is tipped by some for promotion. Heavyweights needed in Trump’s trade world…
Starmer’s very close ally Richard Hermer is unlikely to be dislodged for some time despite press reports. Bridget Phillipson is known to be a “darling of the unions,” though the prevailing opinion is that she is liked and crucially would be too chaotic to replace. The same applies to Liz Kendall. Both have received heavy slaps from Downing Street’s briefing operation…
Lucy Powell on LBC, asked by Tom Swarbrick for her reaction to Labour MP Samantha Niblett’s call for a ‘summer of sex’ debate in Parliament: “I personally don’t own any sex toys, but each to their own… I’m not really sure that’s the right place for it, no.”