Kemi Badenoch has officially assigned Robert Jenrick as shadow justice secretary to her newly constituted senior team. This declaration follows her recent triumph against Jenrick and other contenders, including Dame Priti Patel and Mel Stride, in the Tory leadership contest.
How is Badenoch Aiming for Unity After Election Defeat?
Badenoch’s choice of erstwhile competitors for important roles—including Jenrick as shadow justice secretary and Dame Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary—showcases her intention to promote unity inside the Conservative Party following a significant election loss. Mel Stride will be the shadow chancellor. Badenoch wants to heal divisions and fortify the Conservatives by incorporating leaders from several factions inside the party.
This approach notwithstanding, internal conflicts still exist. “Kemi just doesn’t like Rob.” She believes his entire schtick on her and whether she has any policies has done her long-lasting damage to the rights and reformers. This is likely to cause more disintegration, said a Conservative insider not in line with the leadership. This attitude captures the intricacy of the interactions among party members, particularly given the fierce leadership competition.
What Was the Contentious Past Between Badenoch and Jenrick?
Badenoch and Jenrick spat publicly in the last weeks of the leadership contest, with Jenrick charging Badenoch of being “disrespectful” to Tory members for not clearly outlining principles. Badenoch defended her strategy: “I would not have used that word. Unless I know how I am going to deliver it, I will not guarantee anything.” Still, the two contenders had friendly feelings once the fight ended.
“You and I know that we don’t actually disagree on very much,” Badenoch said in her winning speech, praising Jenrick’s “energy and determination. ” ” I do not doubt that you have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.” Then Jenrick praised Badenoch for her victory and exhorted Conservatives to unite with their new leader.
How Committed is Jenrick to Party Unity and Accountability?
“Rob thinks the party needs to come together and take the fight to Labour,” a friend of Jenrick underlined, stressing his dedication to the party’s unity. Nothing could be more vital than unity. He wants to reveal Labour’s appalling law and order record. This shows Jenrick’s concentration on putting up a united Conservative face to challenge the opposition.
Badenoch will formally declare her whole team as she prepares for her first shadow cabinet meeting. Former Treasury Chief Secretary Laura Trott has been assigned as shadow education secretary, and Neil O’Brien will be the shadow education minister. Both have surfaced in their new House of Commons duties during Education Questions.
What Are the New Leadership and Strategic Appointments?
Apart from Jenrick and Patel, other noteworthy appointments include Lord Dominic Johnson and Nigel Huddleston, joint chairs of the Conservative Party, and Castle Point MP Dame Rebecca Harris, designated as Tory top whip.
Representing the Essex constituency of Witham since 2010, Dame Priti Patel, the current shadow foreign secretary, has held several important government posts. Following illegal contacts with Israeli officials, she resigned as international development secretary in 2017, yet Boris Johnson then brought her back as home secretary. Aimed at discouraging illegal English Channel crossing, she started the divisive Rwanda policy during her term at the Home Office, which the Labour government has subsequently abandoned.
Conversely, Mel Stride, who has been representing Central Devon since 2010, has been in line with the more centrist segment of the party. A close friend of Rishi Sunak, he was a work and pensions secretary before and a well-known media personality during election times.
How is Badenoch Navigating Party Dynamics?
Badenoch has voiced worries about Sunak’s high taxes, yet she has named Stride, one of his prominent supporters, the shadow chancellor. This choice emphasises the juggling act Badenoch has to do to keep party unity.
Previously second-in-command at the Treasury under Jeremy Hunt, new shadow education secretary Laura Trott has represented Sevenoaks in Kent since 2019. From the backbench, Neil O’Brien—who has been a health minister and lately left Sunak’s government—represents a more critical viewpoint.
With just 121 MPs accessible, the Conservative Party struggles to fill all shadow roles as the Labour government now has 120 ministers. Several well-known personalities have decided against being members of the shadow government. One former Home Secretary wished to avoid being “boxed back into a narrow band again” after declaring he felt “liberated” from years on the political front line.
Others who have indicated their decision to step aside from frontline jobs and return to the backbenches include a former Chancellor, a former Deputy Prime Minister, a former Deputy Foreign Secretary, and a former Environment Secretary.
What Will Badenoch's Leadership Journey Entail?
Admirers and detractors will watch Badenoch’s capacity to unite the party and build a strong shadow cabinet as she starts her leadership path.
