Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is preparing to conduct a team reshuffle within weeks, a move that precedes the party's annual conference scheduled for October in Birmingham. This potential reshuffling comes as Badenoch intensifies her public criticism of opposition figures, including Andy Burnham and the Reform party.
Sources indicate that the reshuffle is partly prompted by upcoming personnel changes. Claire Coutinho is expected to take maternity leave, necessitating coverage for her Net Zero responsibilities. Additionally, shadow solicitor general Helen Grant is anticipated to step down from the front bench as she has announced her departure at the next general election. Julia Lopez will also require a new role following the reported abolition of the Science Secretary position she has been shadowing.
Despite these adjustments, insiders do not foresee significant alterations to the most senior leadership roles at this juncture. Nevertheless, there has been internal discussion regarding the future roles of shadow chancellor Mel Stride, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, and shadow home secretary Chris Philp. Figures such as Katie Lam, currently part of Philp's home affairs team, are being considered for more prominent positions. Harriet Cross, a Scottish Conservative MP who played a role in a recent by-election victory in Aberdeen South, is also named as a potential candidate for advancement.
Badenoch's own standing has reportedly been bolstered by a series of strong performances at Prime Minister's Questions, which have seen a notable rise in her personal approval ratings. Many Conservative Members of Parliament express optimism that the party's standing in opinion polls has stabilized, although they acknowledge that the Tories still trail both Reform and Labour in current polling.
Discussions about potential defections to Reform have reportedly decreased, and Nigel Farage has reportedly faced scrutiny regarding his financial affairs. Badenoch has maintained a firm stance against any electoral pacts with Reform, describing such a notion as 'monstrous.'
During a recent meeting in Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly advised Badenoch to 'be your own woman and stand your ground.' The discussion, which lasted an hour over coffee, occurred as both leaders face challenges from the political right within their respective countries. Meloni's own political landscape includes the rise of Roberto Vannacci, a former general leading the hard-Right National Future party, who has recently seen an increase in poll numbers in Italy.