Kemi Badenoch has replaced Mel Stride as Shadow Chancellor in a Tory shadow Cabinet reshuffle. The move comes before Parliament's return on Tuesday and the party's conference in October, where Claire Coutinho is taking over as Shadow Business Secretary from Andrew Griffith. A senior Tory source praised Griffith's "incredibly impressive financial and business background", saying he understands issues faced by businesses and has valuable contacts. Kemi Badenoch paid tribute to Stride's work as Shadow Chancellor, thanking him for his contribution and expressing confidence in her new team.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-31,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has carried out a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet ahead of Parliament's return on Tuesday and the party's conference in October. As part of this shake-up, Andrew Griffith has been given the crucial economic brief as shadow business secretary, replacing Mel Stride, who was previously shadow chancellor. Sir Mel had been appointed to the role due to his "incredibly impressive financial and business background", but has now been axed by Badenoch. Meanwhile, Tom Tugendhat will take over as shadow foreign secretary from Dame Priti Patel, who was replaced on Sunday, while Sir James Cleverly is standing down as shadow housing secretary to run for the London mayoralty.
Written for “UK Conservative Party Reshuffle” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.85 for article 3225 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-31
Kemi Badenoch replaces top Tory economic team in shadow Cabinet reshuffle
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Badenoch → replace → reshuffle
The Conservative leader is carrying out a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet before Parliament’s return on Tuesday, and before the party’s conference in October.
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leader → carry → October
Claire Coutinho, previously the shadow energy secretary, will replace Mr Griffith as shadow business secretary, while Sir Mel will join Tory big beasts Dame Priti Patel and Sir James Cleverly on the back benches amid the ongoing shake-up.
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Mel → replace → up
Dame Priti was replaced as shadow foreign secretary by Tom Tugendhat on Sunday.
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Priti → replace → Sunday
Sir James announced on Saturday he will stand down as shadow housing secretary to take a run at the Tory candidacy for London mayor.
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he → announce → mayor
A senior Tory source said Mr Griffith had been appointed because of his “incredibly impressive financial and business background”, pointing to his work as a former Sky executive and as chairman of Just Eat.
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Griffith → say → Eat
They added: “While the Labour front bench has almost no private sector experience, Andrew’s experience means he not only knows but understands the many issues that businesses face and has a wealth of contacts in the business community.”
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businesses → add → community
Mrs Badenoch paid tribute to Sir Mel’s work as shadow chancellor, and said: “Like Priti, Mel came into the job at an exceptionally difficult point for the Conservative Party.
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Mel → pay → Party
“He brought experience, seriousness and stability when those things were badly needed.
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things → bring → experience
He helped us steady the ship, rebuild economic credibility and become an effective opposition, and I am genuinely grateful for his contribution.
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I → help → contribution
“The Conservative Party would not have got where we are without his work and his very effective skewering of Rachel Reeves and her disastrous time as chancellor.
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we → get → chancellor
Mel has been very supportive of the new economic team and the party, and been exceptionally loyal, and I will always be grateful to him for the work he has done.”
Sir Mel described his time in the senior Tory role as a “great honour”, and added: “The Conservative party must continue to champion an approach which is both radical and deliverable.
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“It is essential that the next Conservative government does things very differently, backing business like never before and getting government out of the way.
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government → do → way
The Conservatives have a good story to tell on this now and one that I know will continue to grow stronger and stronger under Kemi’s leadership.
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I → have → leadership
“I am now looking forward to continuing to make a real contribution to the Conservative team in Parliament and beyond, to build and amplify our vision for Britain, from the back benches.”
New shadow business secretary Ms Coutinho is currently on maternity leave.
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Coutinho → look → leave
Her role will be covered by Conservative former minister Julia Lopez until the new year.
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role → cover → year
