Rishi Sunak announces Shadow Cabinet as David Cameron quits

08 July 2024 , 21:16

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Rishi Sunak has appointed his Shadow Cabinet - but received resignations from some in his party ( Image: Rory Arnold / Avalon)

Rishi Sunak, who is serving as the interim Tory leader, announced his Shadow Cabinet after many top Tories lost their seats in a devastating general election night for the party

Rishi Sunak has announced a temporary team to shadow Keir Starmer’s Cabinet after the Tories’ worst-ever election result.

Many top Tories lost their seats in Thursday’s devastating night for the General Election so his Shadow Cabinet varies significantly from his government team. The Conservatives said farewell to 12 Cabinet members, 11 ministers and 13 Parliamentary under secretaries of state in a devastating night for the party at the General Election. 

After a brief return to Parliament, David Cameron, who was appointed as Foreign Secretary after being given a peerage, has offered his resignation to Mr Sunak. Richard Holden, who was re-elected with a majority of just 20 votes, also quit on Monday evening as the Tory Chairman. Richard Fuller has been appointed as the interim party chairman.

Those who were ousted on polling day include Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer and Tech Secretary Michelle Donelan were also among the casualties. Jeremy Hunt was one of few Tory big beasts to cling onto his seat. He will serve as Shadow Chancellor, opposite new Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Kemi Badenoch also retrained her seat but has been moved from Business Secretary and will now serve as Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, replacing Michael Gove, who stood down at the election. Kevin Hollinrake, who served in the department as a minister, takes her job. 

David Wilson