Priti Patel Out As Kemi Badenoch Begins Tory Frontbench Reshuffle

Priti Patel has left her post as shadow foreign secretary as Kemi Badenoch launches a reshuffle amid speculation Andy Burnham could call an early election.

In a surprise move, the former home secretary announced on X that she would be taking on an “international role” for the Conservatives to strengthen its links with other centre-riight parties around the world.

She will be replaced as shadow foreign secretary by Tom Tugendhat in a Tory frontbanch shake-up which could take place as early as today.

Her announcement came just a day after James Cleverly announced he was quitting as the Tories’ shadow housing secretary to run to be London mayor.

Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, is also standing down to go on maternity leave, while shadow solicitor general Helen Grant will also leave the Tory frontbench.

Patel, who is the MP for Witham, 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.

“At a time of profound global uncertainty, when our values and freedoms are under threat, conservatives must work more closely together.”

She said it had been “an honour” to lead the party’s foreign affairs team, citing challenges to the Labour government’s Chagos Islands deal and calls for stronger action to protect the UK from threats posed by China, Iran and Russia.

Badenoch will hope her reshuffle – which comes just a year after her last frontbench shake-up – helps to revive her party’s fortunes.

Although her own personal approval ratings have improved, the Conservatives still trail behind Labour and Reform UK in the opinion polls.

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