# Kemi Badenoch leadership and Conservative Party changes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kemi-badenoch-leadership-and-conservative-party-changes
> Updated: 2026-09-01T23:00:00.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 3.

Allegations have emerged regarding Kemi Badenoch’s past political activities within the Conservative Party. According to a biography by Anthony Seldon, Badenoch allegedly plotted to remove Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister in 2023 due to disagreements over migration policy and a lack of respect for his leadership. The book claims she attempted to gauge interest among cabinet ministers in a leadership change and considered using her resignation as an ultimatum. An ally of Badenoch has dismissed these claims as ‘total bollocks’. 

Following these developments, Badenoch, acting as Conservative leader, has implemented a major reshuffle of her Shadow Cabinet to establish authority and reshape the party’s direction. This reorganization includes replacing Sir Mel Stride with Andrew Griffith as Shadow Chancellor and appointing Tom Tugendhat to succeed Dame Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary, as Patel moves to an international role. 

Further changes include Claire Coutinho moving from Shadow Energy Secretary to Shadow Business Secretary, with Andrew Bowie filling her previous role. Damian Hinds returns to the frontbench as Shadow Health Secretary, replacing Stuart Andrew, while Katie Lam becomes Shadow Housing Secretary following James Cleverly’s decision to run for London mayor. Alex Burghart has been appointed as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party. 

As the party prepares for upcoming local by-elections across six council wards in England, Scotland, and Wales—including Kingswood in Stroud and Southside/Newington in Edinburgh—Badenoch has utilized these leadership changes to attempt to gain political momentum. This comes amid heightened competition from Reform UK.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-01: Kemi Badenoch reshuffles shadow cabinet amid local by-elections

Kemi Badenoch has reshuffled her shadow cabinet, appointing Andrew Griffith as shadow chancellor, as the Conservatives face political pressure from Reform UK during upcoming local by-elections.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kemi-badenoch-reshuffles-shadow-cabinet-amid-local-by-elections

### 2026-08-30: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch reshuffles Shadow Cabinet

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has overhauled her Shadow Cabinet, replacing senior figures like Mel Stride and Priti Patel with new appointments including Andrew Griffith and Tom Tugendhat.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/priti-patel-leaves-shadow-cabinet-as-tom-tugendhat-nears-appointment

### 2026-08-25: Kemi Badenoch allegedly plotted to remove Rishi Sunak as PM

A new biography by Anthony Seldon claims Kemi Badenoch plotted to remove Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister in 2023 over immigration policy and personal friction.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kemi-badenoch-allegedly-plotted-to-remove-rishi-sunak-as-pm

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Cite as: Kemi Badenoch leadership and Conservative Party changes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kemi-badenoch-leadership-and-conservative-party-changes