Priti Patel and Mel Stride axed in Tory reshuffle as Tom Tugendhat takes Shadow Foreign Secretary role
Badenoch is carrying out a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet before the party's conference in October.
Dame Priti Patel is leaving her post as shadow foreign secretary as part of a Tory reshuffle, as Mel Stride has also been axed just days before James Cleverly announced he was quitting to run for London Mayor.
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The former home secretary said she would be taking on an “international role” for the party to strengthen links with sister parties worldwide.
The Telegraph newspaper reported she will be replaced by former security minister Tom Tugendhat.
Meanwhile, Andrew Griffith will replace Sir Mel Stride as shadow chancellor.
Last week, Sir James Cleverly announced he would be leaving the shadow cabinet to run to become mayor of London in 2028.
In a statement on Sunday night, Dame Priti said returning to the back benches would also give her “greater freedom to stand up” for her Witham and Essex constituency in the Commons.
She said: “I’m pleased to continue supporting Kemi and the Conservative Party in a new role strengthening our relationships with fellow conservatives and centre-right parties around the world.
“At a time of profound global uncertainty, when our values and freedoms are under threat, conservatives must work more closely together.”
She said it had been “an honour” to lead the party’s foreign affairs team, citing challenges to the Government’s Chagos Islands deal and calls for stronger action to protect the UK from threats posed by China, Iran and Russia.
Mr Tugendhat, her rumoured successor, is seen as one of the most hawkish MPs on China and has campaigned against plans for the new super embassy in London.
Dame Priti added: “With Labour axing key transport schemes, cancelling plans for a new school, threatening to destroy our countryside, councils and communities and cutting policing, I will be a vocal champion for my constituents in the House of Commons defending their interests and demanding action.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to carry out a reshuffle of her frontbench, with the role of shadow housing, communities and local government secretary also vacant after Sir James Cleverly quit to run for London mayor.
Sir James said Mrs Badenoch was “very supportive” when he told her earlier this week of his plans to step down, though she would “stay neutral” on the Tory selection process for a mayoral candidate.
It has been an honour to have served as Shadow Chancellor for almost two years, alongside an exceptionally strong team and a great leader in Kemi.
— Mel Stride MP (@MelJStride) August 31, 2026
I am especially proud of the work we have done to rebuild the Conservatives' economic credibility - an issue on which we now…
Sir Mel described his time in the senior Tory role as a “great honour”, and added: “The Conservative party must continue to champion an approach which is both radical and deliverable.
“It is essential that the next Conservative government does things very differently, backing business like never before and getting government out of the way. The Conservatives have a good story to tell on this now and one that I know will continue to grow stronger and stronger under Kemi’s leadership.
“I am now looking forward to continuing to make a real contribution to the Conservative team in Parliament and beyond, to build and amplify our vision for Britain, from the back benches.”
New shadow business secretary Ms Coutinho is currently on maternity leave. Her role will be covered by Conservative former minister Julia Lopez until the new year.