Kemi Badenoch has become shadow levelling-up secretary, while former estate agent Kevin Hollinrake will shadow Badenoch’s former business secretary post.
The move was announced yesterday as part of Rishi Sunak’s new shadow cabinet, which does not include former prime minister David Cameron.
Badenoch, the MP for North West Essex seat, is widely seen as a frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservative party
Sunak will continue as leader of the Conservatives until a replacement is found, after he announced his resignation from the position last week following the party’s crushing defeat at the general election.
“Following this result, I will step down as party leader. Not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place,” Sunak said in his final speech as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street last Friday.
“It is important that after 14 years in government, the Conservative Party rebuilds, but also that it takes up its crucial role in opposition professionally and effectively,” he added.
Sunak has reportedly told friends he would rather his time as interim leader does not drag on, and that he would rather a caretaker leader take the reins if the contest goes beyond September.
The Conservative party released the following statement as they announced the shadow cabinet members: “The interim shadow cabinet draws upon much of the Conservative Party’s existing experience and expertise, to ensure that and ready to hold the new Labour government to account from day one.”
This is the full list of people appointed to Sunak’s shadow cabinet:
Shadow Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer: Jeremy Hunt
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs: Andrew Mitchell
Shadow Home Secretary: James Cleverly
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence: James Cartlidge
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice: Ed Argar
Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: Andrew Griffith
Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary: Victoria Atkins
Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Kemi Badenoch
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Steve Barclay
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons: Chris Phil
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords: Lord True
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade: Kevin Hollinrake
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero: Claire Coutinho
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Mel Stride
Shadow Secretary of State for Education: Damian Hinds
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport: Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: Julia Lopez
Shadow Attorney General: Jeremy Wright
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Alex Burghart
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland: John Lamont
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales: Lord Davies of Gower
Opposition Chief Whip: Stuart Andrew
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Laura Trott
Shadow Paymaster General: John Glen
Shadow Security Minister: Tom Tugendhat
Shadow Veterans Minister: Andrew Bowie
Shadow Women and Equalities: Mims Davies
