FORMER prime minister Lord Cameron does not feature in the interim shadow cabinet, the Conservative Party has confirmed.
Suffering a net loss of 251 MPs in last week’s General Election, the Tories have named their opposition frontbench who will lead them into the new Parliament.
The party confirmed in a statement that Lord Cameron, who was foreign secretary in the outgoing government, and party chairman Richard Holden had offered their resignations, and Rishi Sunak had accepted.
Lord Cameron led the Conservative Party into power 14 years ago, securing 306 seats in the 2010 election and a coalition with the 57-strong Liberal Democrats.
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar in 'betrayal of democracy' after ditching support for electoral reform
Former deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has become the shadow foreign secretary while Richard Fuller, who represents North Bedfordshire, has been named party chairman.
“United as a party we will be ready and able to hold this new Labour government to account every step of the way,” Fuller said in a statement.
“The Conservative Party has had a difficult election and it is important that we regroup and reflect on these results.
“We should also challenge ourselves candidly and deeply on the strengths of the Conservative Party across the country and outline where improvements can be made.
“I am honoured to be asked to act as interim chairman of the Conservative Party and to be working alongside colleagues in the shadow cabinet.”
Several senior Tories lost their seats in last week’s poll.
Among them were former defence secretary Grant Shapps and former Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, who lost their seats to Labour candidates in Welwyn Hatfield and Portsmouth North.
Ex-education secretary Gillian Keegan and former justice secretary Alex Chalk also lost their seats in Chichester and Cheltenham to the Liberal Democrats.
Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak and interim opposition chief whip Stuart Andrew, a former sports and gambling minister, appointed their party’s new top team.
Among the new line-up shadowing their former posts are Oliver Dowden, now as deputy leader of the opposition, Jeremy Hunt as shadow chancellor, James Cleverly as shadow home secretary, and Victoria Atkins as shadow health secretary.
Claire Coutinho has kept her energy security and net zero portfolio in opposition, as have Steve Barclay (environment, food and rural affairs) and Mel Stride (work and pensions).
Kemi Badenoch has taken on Michael Gove’s former levelling up, housing and communities brief.
Her former portfolios have gone to Kevin Hollinrake (business and trade) and Mims Davies (women and equalities).
The top team also includes James Cartlidge as shadow defence secretary, Ed Argar as shadow justice, Andrew Griffith as shadow science innovation and technology, Chris Philp as shadow Commons leader, former schools minister Damian Hinds as shadow education secretary, Helen Whately as shadow transport and Julia Lopez as shadow culture media and sport.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel