Andrew Griffith replaces Mel Stride as Conservatives reshuffle top team

Kemi Badenoch has begun changing the Conservatives’ senior opposition team, replacing Sir Mel Stride as shadow chancellor with Andrew Griffith.

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Kemi is changing the way the Conservative Party approaches economic policy and creating a new economic leadership team for the next phase, focused on growth, higher living standards and fiscal credibility.

Claire Coutinho, previously shadow energy secretary, will take Griffith’s former role as shadow business secretary. Badenoch also appointed Tom Tugendhat as shadow foreign secretary, replacing Dame Priti Patel.

The reshuffle comes ahead of the Conservative Party conference in October. A senior Conservative source said Badenoch was changing how the party approached economic policy and creating an economic leadership team focused on growth, higher living standards and fiscal credibility.

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a great honour

Badenoch praised Stride’s work in helping the party rebuild its economic credibility and become an effective opposition. Stride called his time as shadow chancellor “a great honour” and said he would continue contributing from the back benches while promoting the party’s vision for Britain.

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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.