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…
A Tory spokesman said that former MP Tom Hunt has today been expelled from the party: “Tom Hunt has been expelled from the Conservative Party following a complaints process. This process is rightly confidential.” Disciplinary processes are carried out by a party panel which makes decisions subject to ratification by the party board. The latest former Tory parliamentarian to be expelled…
Guido has had it all but confirmed that there is an incoming shadow ministerial reshuffle before summer recess. Personnel changes have been underway in the Tory operation since Guido exclusively revealed old hand Mark McInnes, former head of the party in Scotland, was hired as the new CEO of CCHQ…
Grandee Francis Maude is increasingly tipped as the next party chairman – a point first made on this site some weeks back – while Guido hears LOTO is weighing up moving some ministers Badenoch is felt to be less aligned with. Names including Nigel Huddleston, Ed Argar, Joy Morrissey, and Victoria Atkins have come up for moves, neither positive nor negative, but moves nevertheless…
Were Kemi to demote clearly strong performers like Andrew Griffith or Rob Jenrick then eyebrows would be raised. Some senior Tories are of the view that Badenoch should at least wait until Labour has completed their own reshuffle to make sure that the shadows match up well with Cabinet ministers. Others question whether there is the political capital to reshuffle the shadow cabinet in the first place, especially seeing as LOTO had previously guaranteed the frontbench would remain the same until the election. The only question that matters to rank and file Tories is whether it makes any difference to the polls…
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart took to the stage at Tory centrist HQ Onward this morning, declaring that the “dominant story” of this Parliament will be the economy. With 30-year gilt yields hitting their highest since 1998, he’s probably right…
Naturally, Guido asked whether the Tories rule out ever imposing a wealth tax – and, if Labour goes ahead with one, would they commit to reversing it? Burghart’s answer:
“I can’t see a Conservative government ever supporting a wealth tax. You’re asking me to commit to reverse a policy that hasn’t yet been introduced. But I can tell you what we think in principle, which is that we don’t like wealth taxes.”
Not quite a hard no…
Burghart went on to warn that the risk of civil unrest in the UK is “underpriced”, adding that Labour views flashpoints like the Ballymena and Southport riots as “aberrations, freak events. I’m not sure that that is true anymore. I hope that that is the case.” Punchy…
Guido was trawling through CCHQ’s job ads this morning to see how Kemi’s “reset” of the party’s campaigning machine is shaping up. Turns out, they’re hiring. Just not for money…
They’re after a “Research/Press” volunteer, working for “0 pay” on “0 specific hours”. Applicants must have “excellent research and analytical skills”, “a strong academic background”, and will be churning out policy “analysis”, “new initiatives”, and “campaign ideas”. All for love of the game…
Also on offer: “Membership Growth Volunteer” and “Political Events & Operations Volunteer” – again, both unpaid. For any co-conspirators hoping to get paid in pounds, there are openings: Two campaign manager roles in Scotland and Havant are available on a “competitive” salary. Kemi needs you…
UPDATE: A Labour source tells Guido: “It’s no wonder the Tories are desperately trying to block new rights for workers. It means they would actually have to pay their staff.”
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”