Reform UK has accused Kemi Badenoch of “moving deckchairs of the Titanic” as the Conservative leader continues to tinker with her top team.
Mrs Badenoch sacked Sir Mel Stride as shadow chancellor and appointing former business secretary and Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith in his place.
Claire Coutinho, previously the shadow energy secretary, will replace Mr Griffith as shadow business secretary, while Sir Mel will join Tory big beasts Dame Priti Patel and Sir James Cleverly on the backbenches amid the ongoing shake-up.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Kemi is simply moving the deckchairs around the titanic with this reshuffle. She has promoted ardent supporters of net zero and the ECHR into senior positions, despite saying she wouldn’t .
“The Conservatives haven’t learned a thing from their failures in office.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper also slammed the Tories for a “race to the bottom” with Mr Farage’s party.
The Chelmsford MP and the party’s Treasury spokeswoman said: “[Mr Griffith] helped deliver the Truss mini-budget that sent mortgages soaring and the economy into turmoil.
“It’s clear Conservatives haven’t learned a thing. His appt to Shadow Chancellor shows they’re happy to forfeit any claim to economic credibility in their race to the bottom with Reform UK.”
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Andy Burnham set to deliver Commons statement setting out direction of his Government
Andy Burnham will lay out his plans tomorrow
| PAGB News understands Andy Burnham, is expected to deliver a Commons statement on Tuesday setting out the direction of his government.
He will make clear his priorities, which include giving people breathing space with the cost of living.
The Prime Minister will declare this is the moment we begin to bring back hope, as he promises to make life more affordable wherever he can.
As Parliament returns next week, he will say that he will continue to work to restore hope as he confronts the issues that have been ignored for too long.
He will also say that he will keep taking action on the cost of living, after early steps to help give people breathing space including taking VAT off electricity bills, capping bus fares at £2 and cracking down on rogue traders.
A Downing Street source told GB News: “The Prime Minister does not accept that the Government’s role is to stand by and watch on as every bill goes up and up, squeezing the joy out of life.”
He is set to promise to the country that “wherever we can make life more affordable, we will. We can make this the moment when Britain starts believing again and we bring back hope.”
During the summer, the PM has met people including police officers in Derbyshire, farmers in Cornwall, steel workers in South Wales, apprentices working in defence in Cumbria and young people in Belfast.
James Cartlidge staying on as Shadow Defence Secretary
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge will remain in post as Shadow Defence Secretary.
A party spokesman said: “James will continue to lead our plans to strengthen our Armed Forces, ensure defence is properly funded and keep Britain secure.”
EXCLUSIVE: Katie Lam confirmed as new Shadow Housing Secretary
Katie Lam is the new Shadow Housing Secretary
| GB NEWS
GB News can exclusively reveal Katie Lam is the new Shadow Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The Weald of Kent MP will take over the role from Sir James Cleverly, who announced he would run to be the party’s candidate in the next London Mayoral election.
A party source told GB News she “will take on Angela Rayner at the despatch box and can reset Tory policy across a swathe of areas, having impressed as a whip.”
Green Party accuses Tories of wanting to ‘out-Reform Reform’
The Green Party has slammed today’s Conservative reshuffle as “not the smartest move.”
A party source told GB News: “Kemi Badenoch’s party of climate deniers just seem to want to out-Reform Reform these days.
“Not the smartest move.”
Joy Morrissey named as new Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
Joy Morrissey, Conservative MP for Beaconsfield , is the new Shadow Women and Equality minister
| HOUSE OF COMMONSGB News understands the former shadow whip and MP for Beaconsfield Joy Morrissey has been appointed the new Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.
She is taking over from Claire Coutinho who is currently on maternity leave.