Lord David Cameron resigns as Rishi Sunak reshuffles top team after election blow
FORMER Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned from the frontbench with the Tories announcing a cabinet reshuffle.
Rishi Sunak will remain the leader of the Conservatives’ interim shadow cabinet, but former Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and party chairman Richard Holden have stepped down.
The former PM scrambled to assemble a team from his depleted ranks of 121 MPs to form an opposition to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s new Government.
Mr Holden said the review of the party’s election campaign would “best take place with a new set of eyes to help provide the clearest view”.
While Lord Cameron is stepping back from frontline politics, he will keep his House of Lords seat for life.
He was given a peerage last November so that Rishi Sunak could make him Foreign Secretary.
Mr Sunak said he will remain the leader of the Tories until his replacement is appointed.
Former deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has become shadow foreign secretary, while Richard Fuller – former economic secretary to the Treasury – is the new Conservative chairman.
The party has named Jeremy Hunt as its shadow chancellor, with James Cleverly shadow home secretary, mirroring the portfolios they held in government.
Kemi Badenoch has become shadow levelling-up secretary, while Kevin Hollinrake will shadow Ms Badenoch’s former Business Secretary post and Mims Davies becomes shadow women and equalities minister.
Mr Fuller said in a statement: “The Conservative Party has had a difficult election and it is important that we regroup and reflect on these results.
“We should also challenge ourselves candidly and deeply on the strengths of the Conservative Party across the country and outline where improvements can be made.
“I am honoured to be asked to act as interim chairman of the Conservative Party and to be working alongside colleagues in the shadow cabinet.
“United as a party we will be ready and able to hold this new Labour government to account every step of the way.”
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir invited everyone to join his mission of “national renewal”.
Making an appeal to those who did not vote for his party, he said: “Whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: my government will serve you.”
Sir Keir – commanding a 174-seat majority – acknowledged changing a country is not “like flicking a switch” and that it will “take a while”.
But he went on to say: “I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. I have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community.”
Sunak, meanwhile, sent an emotional message to Tory MPs following the crushing defeat.
The ex-PM, who formally quit No.10 on Friday morning, apologised to colleagues and declared: “I am sorry that I could not deliver a better result.”
The Tories were reduced to just 121 seats – their lowest of all time.