Kemi Badenoch has carried out a significant reshuffle in the Conservative Party, axing Mel Stride as shadow chancellor and replacing him with Andrew Griffith. The key figure taking over Priti Patel's old foreign affairs duties is Tom Tugendhat, who has campaigned against plans for a new super embassy in China. The reshuffle also sees Claire Coutinho moving to replace Griffith on the business beat, while Stuart Andrew returns to the backbenches and James Cleverly will focus on a bid for London Mayor. Sir Mel Stride expressed gratitude for his time as shadow chancellor, highlighting the party's improved economic credibility under his leadership.
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).
- See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source
Kemi Badenoch carried out a dramatic Tory reshuffle today with Mel Stride axed as shadow chancellor.
Mrs Badenoch has handed Andrew Griffith the crucial economic brief as she gears up for a fresh assault on Andy Burnham when Parliament returns tomorrow.
asserted
Parliament → see → Burnham
Tom Tugendhat is taking over Priti Patel's old foreign affairs duties as part of a much bigger than expected clear-out.
asserted
Tugendhat → take → out
The Opposition leader also needs to fill the shadow housing secretary role after James Cleverly announced he will be focusing on a bid for the London Mayoralty.
asserted
he → need → Mayoralty
There will be a new face in the health job as Stuart Andrew has confirmed he is returning to the backbenches.
asserted
he → confirm → backbenches
The highly-rated shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho, who is due to go on maternity leave, has been moved to replace Mr Griffith on the business beat.
asserted
who → rat → beat
A senior Tory source highlighted Mr Griffith's experience as a Sky executive, saying he would have a 'no-nonsense, pro-growth' approach.
Katie Lam is among those in the frame for promotion to a bigger job.
asserted
Lam → highlight → job
Kemi Badenoch is making changes to her shadow cabinet with Andrew Griffith (left) handed the crucial economic brief
Mel Stride (pictured) has been axed as shadow chancellor
Sir Mel said he had been 'honoured' to serve as shadow chancellor
Mrs Badenoch heaped praise on Sir Mel, saying he had done the job at an 'exceptionally difficult point for the Conservative Party'.
'He brought experience, seriousness and stability when those things were badly needed,' she said.
asserted
she → make → experience
'He helped us steady the ship, rebuild economic credibility and become an effective opposition, and I am genuinely grateful for his contribution.
asserted
I → help → contribution
Sir Mel said he had been 'honoured' to serve.
asserted
he → say → ?
'I am especially proud of the work we have done to rebuild the Conservatives' economic credibility - an issue on which we now consistently lead in the polls - and to have developed the start of a radical and deliverable plan to turn our economy around,' he said.
asserted
he → do → economy
In a statement last night, Dame Priti said she was leaving her post as shadow foreign secretary to do an 'international role' strengthening the party's links worldwide.
asserted
she → say → links
The former home secretary said returning to the back benches would also give her 'greater freedom to stand up' for her Witham and Essex constituency in the Commons.
asserted
returning → say → Commons
She said: 'I'm pleased to continue supporting Kemi and the Conservative Party in a new role strengthening our relationships with fellow conservatives and centre-right parties around the world.
asserted
I → say → world
'At a time of profound global uncertainty, when our values and freedoms are under threat, conservatives must work more closely together.'
asserted
conservatives → work → threat
She said it had been 'an honour' to lead the party's foreign affairs team, citing challenges to the Government's Chagos Islands deal and calls for stronger action to protect the UK from threats posed by China, Iran and Russia.
asserted
it → say → China
Mr Tugendhat is seen as one of the most hawkish MPs on China and has campaigned against plans for the new super embassy in London.
asserted
Tugendhat → see → London
A senior Tory source said: 'Within Parliament, Tom has almost unrivalled credibility in foreign affairs as a former soldier, Security Minister and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
asserted
Tom → say → Committee
Kemi actually gave Tom the good news while he was in Taiwan, talking to the Taiwanese government about the threat of China - a mark of how he is respected across the world.
asserted
he → give → world
Contrast that with Ed Miliband, who has spent his first months touring the world pushing his weird Net Zero agenda.
asserted
who → contrast → agenda
Kemi has made defence one of the central organising principles of her leadership.
asserted
defence → make → leadership
Alongside Alex Burghart and James Cartlidge, Tom will be part of a three-person team leading on our national security and international affairs.
asserted
Tom → lead → security
Mrs Badenoch paid tribute to Dame Priti's contribution.
asserted
Badenoch → pay → contribution
'Priti has been exceptionally loyal, hard-working and supportive during a very difficult period for the Party,' the leader said.
asserted
leader → work → Party
'She came into the Shadow Cabinet when we needed experienced people who could operate without a large infrastructure behind them.
uncertain
who → come → them
Priti has done a very important job.
asserted
Priti → do → job
Now I am asking her to do another important job, as International Secretary of the Conservative Party.'
asserted
I → ask → Party
Mr Tugendhat is seen as one of the most hawkish MPs on China
In a statement last night, Dame Priti said she would be taking on an 'international role' for the party to strengthen links with sister parties worldwide
Priti Patel is leaving the front bench as Mrs Badenoch sharpens her attack on Andy Burnham
Stuart Andrew has left the health brief and returned to the back benches
asserted
Andrew → see → benches
Dame Priti added: 'With Labour axing key transport schemes, cancelling plans for a new school, threatening to destroy our countryside, councils and communities and cutting policing, I will be a vocal champion for my constituents in the House of Commons defending their interests and demanding action.'
asserted
I → add → action
Sir James said Mrs Badenoch was 'very supportive' when he told her earlier this week of his plans to step down, though she would 'stay neutral' on the Tory selection process for a mayoral candidate.
asserted
she → say → candidate
A Tory source said Ms Coutinho had done a 'brilliant job' on the energy brief, where she was shadowing Ed Miliband until he was made Foreign Secretary by Mr Burnham.
asserted
he → say → Burnham
Her new role will be covered by Julia Lopez until she returns from maternity leave in the New Year.
asserted
she → cover → Year
Ms Lopez was shadowing the Government's science secretary job, but that department was abolished by Mr Burnham.
asserted
department → shadow → Burnham
