Introducing the new shadow cabinet

Kemi Badenoch has announced her Shadow Cabinet after defeating Robert Jenrick in a historic leadership contest earlier this month. She commented ‘the line-up draws on the talents of people from across the Conservative party based on meritocracy and with a breadth of experience and perspective”. With that being said, let’s see who she has picked for her top team.

Kevin Hollinrake has been appointed the new shadow housing secretary. Hollinrake has previously addressed various housing and planning issues in the House of Commons. For example, in May 2021, Hollinrake raised concerns with then-Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick about the “disproportionate impact” that planning costs have on small and medium-sized housebuilders. This could be a priority for Hollinrake moving forward, looking at ways to support small and medium-sized housebuilders to achieve wider housing targets. In 2018,

Hollinrake also suggested the government should consider allowing councils to revoke planning permissions for sites where developers fail to deliver on their initial promises. This may suggest Hollinrake is interested in increasing the powers of local council if the integrity of the developers comes into question. In July 2015, Mr Hollinrake also called on the government to introduce six-mile buffer zones around fracking sites to ensure rural areas do not become too industrialised. This is perhaps not surprising as Hollinrake is MP for Thirsk and Malton, a fairly rural constituency. It will be interesting however to see how Mr Hollinrake balances the wants and desires of his own constituency with the house-building targets for the country. So far his views seem fairly balanced, wanting to encourage development by making it less costly for the smaller or medium-sized house builders whilst ensuring developers are being held to account when they do get permission.

Robert Jenrick, the man beaten in the ballot against Badenoch, has accepted the shadow justice secretary role. It is rumoured that Jenrick was offered various positions in the Cabinet but fearing they weren’t senior enough declined, finally accepting the role of shadow justice secretary. Other leadership candidates appointed in Badenoch’s cabinet include Dame Priti Patel becoming shadow foreign secretary and Mel Stride as the shadow chancellor. Not all former leadership candidates however have featured in Badenoch’s cabinet. A notable absence is former leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat. It is understood no specific role was offered to Mr Tugendhat. Another person not included of course is James Cleverly. However, Mr Cleverly stated before Badenoch was appointed as Conservative leader that he would be returning to the back benches.

Former policing minister Chris Philip has been appointed in one of the most significant roles as shadow home secretary. Alex Burghart has been appointed shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and shadow secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Chief Whip will be Dame Rebecca Harris.

Other appointments include Helen Whately becoming shadow work and pensions secretary, Gareth Bacon taking over as shadow transport secretary, Stuart Andrew now shadow culture secretary, and Alan Mak stepping into the role of shadow science secretary. Lord True has been appointed Shadow Leader of the Lords, and Jessie Norman will be Shadow Leader of the Commons. James Cartlidge will be the shadow defence secretary.

Laura Trott, who served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Rishi Sunak, has been appointed shadow education secretary.

Stuart Andrew MP for Daventry has been appointed to shadow secretary for culture. Mimms Davis has become the new secretary for Wales, following the Tory wipeout in Wales’ last election. Whilst there are no Welsh Conservative MPs to do the job Ms Davies served as a junior minister in Wales in 2018. She will also continue in her role as the shadow minister for women.

The chairmen will be Nigel Hiddleston and Lord Johnson.

Andrew Griffeth, a staunch supporter of Badenoch throughout her leadership campaign, has become shadow business and trade secretary. Victoria Atkins MP for Loath and Horncastle has been appointed as shadow environment secretary and Richard Fuller as shadow chief executive to the Treasury. Claire Coutinho will remain in her role as shadow net zero and energy secretary. A close ally of Rishi Sunak, Ms Coutinho held this same position in the last Conservative government. Former justice minister Edward Argar is the new shadow health and social care secretary. He will be up against Labours Wes Streeting at the dispatch box.
Only time will tell what Badenoch’s cabinet will go on to do. In regards to housing, Hollinrake appears in support of increasing house building whilst also keen to hold developers accountable to their promises by increasing the power of local councils. A fine balance to be struck in an already complicated and demanding sector.

To view profiles of the new shadow cabinet click here.