Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is preparing to undertake a significant reshuffle of the Tory shadow cabinet as part of efforts to reinvigorate the party ahead of the next general election. Badenoch, who assumed leadership nearly two years ago and stabilized the party following its poor performance in the 2024 election, has embarked on an international tour in southern Europe this week, meeting with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The meetings focused largely on strategies for revitalizing struggling economies, with Badenoch expressing admiration for Meloni’s ability to sustain a center-right government in Italy.

Despite her personal rise in popularity, the Conservative Party continues to lag behind both Labour and Reform UK in opinion polls. According to recent BMG polling, the Conservatives stand at 18 percent, trailing Labour at 27 percent and Reform UK at 23 percent. Badenoch’s own net approval rating is at 0 percent, which, while modest, is notably better than her predecessor Rishi Sunak’s low points and close to Labour leader Andy Burnham’s +6 percent.

Party insiders attribute much of the Conservative Party’s ongoing difficulties to an underperforming shadow cabinet that has failed to effectively challenge Reform UK or Labour in the public arena. Calls within Tory ranks are growing for Badenoch to replace what some describe as “deadwood” with new talent capable of mounting a stronger opposition. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately, and Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride are among those rumored to be at risk of demotion or replacement. Claire Coutinho, currently holding the energy brief, is considered a likely candidate to succeed Stride, although she is expected to take maternity leave soon.

A source close to the party criticised several frontbench members for failing to deliver results after an extended tenure. Helen Whately, in particular, was singled out for conceding ground to Reform UK on key policy areas. Other shadow ministers, including Victoria Atkins and Stuart Andrew, have reportedly struggled to make an impact, while Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp’s energy and commitment have been noted as positives despite the possibility of a demotion.

Badenoch has signaled a clear intention to shift the party’s direction, recently blocking prominent figures from the previous Conservative government, such as former party chair Grant Shapps, from standing as parliamentary candidates in the upcoming election. This move has been generally supported by Tory MPs, who see it as a way to establish a new identity distinct from the party’s past.

The reshuffle is also seen as part of a broader strategy to counter the rising influence of Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Some Conservative MPs express doubt about Farage’s ability to sustain his leadership through the next election cycle amid ongoing financial scrutiny and a formal investigation related to funding received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. They suggest that Farage’s potential departure could enable the Conservatives to overtake Reform UK in the polls and eventually present a clearer choice between Badenoch’s center-right leadership and Labour’s policies.

At present, Tory strategists remain cautiously optimistic that Badenoch’s leadership, combined with a reinvigorated frontbench, will allow the party to challenge Labour’s dominance and reclaim its position as the primary opposition force ahead of the 2029 general election.