STEPS DOWN
Lord David Cameron resigns as Rishi Sunak reshuffles top team after election blow
A new shadow Foreign Secretary has been confirmed
FORMER Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned from the frontbench with the Tories announcing a shadow 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.
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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.
Posting on social media after his resignation from the shadow cabinet was announced, Lord Cameron said: "It's been a huge honour to serve as foreign secretary, but clearly the Conservative Party in Opposition will need to shadow the new Foreign Secretary from the Commons.
"So I told Rishi Sunak that I would step back. I'm delighted that the shadow foreign secretary role has gone to my good friend Andrew Mitchell.
"As a committed Conservative I will continue to support the party and help where I can as we rebuild from the very disappointing election result."
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.
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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.
Keir Starmer delivers his first speech as PM
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".
LORD CAMERON'S FULL STATEMENT
Posting on social media after his resignation from the shadow cabinet was announced, Lord David Cameron said: "It's been a huge honour to serve as foreign secretary, but clearly the Conservative Party in Opposition will need to shadow the new Foreign Secretary from the Commons.
"So I told Rishi Sunak that I would step back. I'm delighted that the shadow foreign secretary role has gone to my good friend Andrew Mitchell.
"As a committed Conservative I will continue to support the party and help where I can as we rebuild from the very disappointing election result."
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 their lowest number of seats of all time.
Lord Cameron took to X on Friday to pay tribute to Mr Sunak.
He said: "The change of Prime Minister and government is always a hugely significant moment for our country. I pay tribute to Rishi Sunak for his leadership, decency and the grace in which he left office today.
"I wish him and his family well. My thoughts are also with our new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
"His success will be our success, so as he starts his work and solemn duties in No10, I send him my very best wishes."
SUNAK'S INTERIM SHADOW CABINET
Rishi Sunak has announced his Conservative shadow cabinet - the first the party's had for more than 14 years.
The majority of his Cabinet members from his time as PM will shadow their old roles - but with a few key changes.
- Shadow Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Oliver Dowden
- Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer: Jeremy Hunt
- Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs: Andrew Mitchell
- Shadow Home Secretary: James Cleverly
- Shadow Secretary of State for Defence: James Cartlidge
- Shadow Secretary of State for Justice: Ed Argar
- Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: Andrew Griffith
- Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary: Victoria Atkins
- Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Kemi Badenoch
- Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Steve Barclay
- Shadow Leader of the House of Commons: Chris Phil
- Shadow Leader of the House of Lords: Lord True
- Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade: Kevin Hollinrake
- Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero: Claire Coutinho
- Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Mel Stride
- Shadow Secretary of State for Education: Damian Hinds
- Shadow Secretary of State for Transport: Helen Whately
- Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: Julia Lopez
- Shadow Attorney General: Jeremy Wright
- Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Alex Burghart
- Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland: John Lamont
- Shadow Secretary of State for Wales: Lord Davies of Gower
- Opposition Chief Whip: Stuart Andrew
- Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Laura Trott
- Shadow Paymaster General: John Glen
- Shadow Security Minister: Tom Tugendhat
- Shadow Veterans Minister: Andrew Bowie
- Shadow Women and Equalities: Mims Davies
In a separate post, he congratulated David Lammy on his appointment to Foreign Secretary.
He said: "Congratulations David Lammy on your appointment as Foreign Secretary.
"At a time when the world is more dangerous, more volatile, more confrontational, than most of us have ever known, your new role is more important than ever.
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"The FCDO is full of great talent and experience that exemplifies the very best of the British civil service. I know they will serve you as well as they have served me.
"I will be willing you on as you get to work, standing up for Britain’s interests, and wish you well."
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