Priti Patel named Shadow Foreign Secretary

Priti Patel has made a political comeback by being named Shadow Foreign Secretary in Kemi Badenoch’s Shadow Cabinet.

The new Tory leader has begun appointing her top team as she insists she can defeat Labour at the next election.

Ms Badenoch has also named Mel Stride Shadow Chancellor and Laura Trott Shadow Education Secretary.

There has been speculation she will offer Robert Jenrick a big role after defeating him to become Conservative Party leader.

A source said both Priti Patel and Mel Stride are “experienced MPs” who stood in the leadership contest and “represent different wings of the Conservative Party”.

They argued that the appointments “demonstrated Kemi’s desire to unite”.

Rebecca Harris was made chief whip – often the first post filled to help with the practicalities. Nigel Huddleston and Lord Dominic Johnson have been made joint party chairs.

However, Ms Badenoch’s task is made trickier by having just 121 Tory MPs to draw on.

In an address to CCHQ staff, Ms Badenoch said the first challenge for the party will be winning back council seats at local elections.

She is also understood to have said the party can turn their situation around in one term.

Ms Badenoch stressed that the party needs to start with principles such as freedom of speech and personal responsibility, before laying out detailed policies.

Ms Trott will be joined by Tory former minister Neil O’Brien as a Shadow Education Minister.

Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly has also revealed he will not seek a job, saying he did not want to be “boxed back into a narrow band” after being “liberated” by his own leadership bid.

Mr Cleverly was seen as the favourite to take over from Rishi Sunak until his shock eviction in the final round of voting by MPs.

The decision to step aside will fuel speculation that he is positioning for another tilt should Ms Badenoch fail as Tory leader.

Ex-Cabinet minister John Glen is also expected to take a step back.

Former Deputy PM Oliver Dowden announced his own departure from the Tory senior team in his final clash with counterpart Angela Rayner.

His tone fuelled rumours that he could even step down from the Commons, with ex-Cabinet veteran Grant Shapps said to be eyeing a comeback at a by-election.

However, Mr Sunak has moved to quash similar speculation about his own intentions, laughing off claims he is planning to move to California and become a tech executive.

In his final appearance at PMQs, he said: “I’m happy to confirm reports that I will now be spending more time in the greatest place on earth where the scenery is indeed worthy of a movie set, and everyone is a character.

“That’s right, if anyone needs me, I will be in Yorkshire.”