David Cameron quits frontline politics as Rishi Sunak's shadow cabinet confirmed
The former PM is understood to have decided that he has fulfilled his duty to the party by serving in Government when asked to do so by Rishi Sunak.
David Cameron appointed Foreign Secretary in 2023
David Cameron has quit frontline politics after the Conservatives lost the election.
The former Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary has resigned and is not part of Rishi Sunak's shadow cabinet.
He has been replaced by Andrew Mitchell, who stood in for Lord Cameron when the Government was addressing MPs in Parliament.
The former PM is understood to have decided that he has fulfilled his duty to the party by serving in Government when asked to do so by Rishi Sunak.
Jeremy Hunt has taken up the role of shadow chancellor, while James Cleverly has been appointed shadow home secretary.
Victoria Atkins, who is rumoured to be among those set to run to be the next Tory leader, is the new shadow health secretary.
All three are now shadowing the portfolios they held in Government.
Leadership contender Kemi Badenoch is the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
But Richard Holden, who was the Conservative Party chairman, has resigned.
He has been replaced by Richard Fuller.
Mr Fuller said: “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.”
Kevin Hollinrake will shadow Ms Badenoch's former Business Secretary post and Mims Davies becomes shadow women and equalities minister.
Senior Tories are split over whether the race to replace Mr Sunak should be done and dusted before summer so the party can quickly take the fight to Labour or carried out slowly to give the MPs time to reflect on what went wrong.
Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake insisted the party can win in 2029 if it has the right leader and it should not rush the process.
The former minister said: “It should be a few months of a job, so we start on that process probably in September, and then we elect our leader by the end of the year – that’s the kind of timescale I would like.”
He added: “We lost heavily, but, as I say, not to a popular Labour Government. That’s an opportunity for us. If we get the right leader, we regroup, we unite behind that leader, we can win in 2029. That’s got to be our job.”
Mr Hollinrake said the Conservatives lost the election rather than Labour winning it, saying: “Look at the percentage share of the vote – no government has ever formed a majority with less than 34% of the vote, it’s quite incredible that’s the case.
“Hats off to them, the winner takes it all, they’ve got the spoils of victory. We need to hold them to account for all those things.”
Potential leadership candidates include former ministers Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel, Tom Tugendhat and Victoria Atkins.