The new leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has finalised her shadow cabinet after beating former health minister Robert Jenrick to the reins of the Conservative Party.
The headline pick for the NHS and wider healthcare sector is Ed Argar becoming the new shadow health secretary; a role which will see him up against Wes Streeting at the despatch box.
Parliamentary experience
Argar was a health minister during Boris Johnson’s premiership and has most recently (while in power) been a justice minister – a role he had after briefly serving as chief secretary to the treasury during Liz Truss’ transient time in office.
Argar had been the shadow justice secretary during the period of limbo between the new government coming into office and the actual opposition being settled.
Argar has been an MP continually since May 2015, when he took over the Charnwood constituency from former health secretary under John Major, Stephen Dorrell.
Most of the Charnwood constituency was absorbed into Mid Leicestershire following last year’s periodic review of Westminster constituencies – the Melton and Syston constituency was also established though, which Argar represents having won his local election with a majority of over 5,000.
Incumbent health secretary Wes Streeting congratulated Argar on his new role.
“Congratulations to Ed Argar on his appointment to the best job in opposition,” he said.
Streeting added: “He is one of the few keepers of the One Nation Tory flame, now dimmed by the surge of the right wing populism that has swept his party. Wish him every success in restoring reason to Conservatism.”
Wider decisions
The great offices of state are currently held by:
- Keir Starmer – Prime Minister
- Rachel Reeves – Chancellor
- David Lammy – Foreign Secretary
- Yvette Cooper – Home Secretary
Badenoch has selected Mel Stride, Priti Patel and Chris Philp for those shadow roles respectively.
Robert Jenrick and fellow former health minister Helen Whately have been given shadow secretary roles at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Former health secretary, Victoria Atkins meanwhile, has moved from her shadow health role to being shadow environment secretary.
Image credit: UK Parliament
