Kemi Badenoch has made her first senior appointment as the brand new Conservative Social gathering chief.
It’s understood that Dame Rebecca Harris, MP for the Essex constituency of Fortress Level, would be the occasion’s chief whip – changing Stuart Andrew.
Mr Andrew wrote on the X social media platform: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the Conservative Party Chief Whip.
“She [Harris] is a good pal and a superb whip. I want her all one of the best within the function.”
Dame Rebecca’s function as chief whip would require her to take care of occasion self-discipline and to try to guarantee MPs vote as Ms Badenoch would really like them to.
The 56-year-old has been the MP for Fortress Level since Could 2010 and supported the Depart marketing campaign in the course of the 2016 Brexit referendum.
She was additionally Comptroller of the Family between 2022 and 2024 – an historic and largely ceremonial function handed to a authorities whip.
Her appointment comes a day after Ms Badenoch beat Robert Jenrick to interchange Rishi Sunak because the occasion’s chief.
Picture:
Kemi Badenoch, proper, with Robert Jenrick after successful the Tory management race. Pic: PA
The 44-year-old North West Essex MP is anticipated to nominate the members of her shadow cupboard earlier than Tuesday.
She didn’t instantly announce who would make up her prime staff, however instructed all of those that ran in opposition to her within the management race ought to be concerned.
Nonetheless, former Overseas Secretary James Cleverly revealed the day earlier than the outcome that he wouldn’t be becoming a member of Ms Badenoch’s prime staff.
He’ll return to the backbenches together with former prime minister Mr Sunak, former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden, ex-chancellor Jeremy Hunt and former Brexit, well being, and surroundings secretary, Steve Barclay.
In an interview after changing into occasion chief, Ms Badenoch informed the BBC the partygate scandal was “overblown” and the federal government mustn’t have fined folks for “everyday activities” throughout lockdown.
