Leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, is reportedly weighing a reshuffle of the party’s shadow cabinet as part of efforts to revitalise the opposition and prevent key figures from defecting to Reform UK.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Badenoch is considering a sweeping overhaul of her top team, with insiders describing the move as a “root and branch” reorganisation aimed at refreshing the party’s leadership structure and injecting new momentum.

Several senior figures are said to be under scrutiny, including Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.

Sources cited in the report claim that Stride has been excluded from some major strategic discussions and criticised internally for lacking energy in his role. However, allies of the shadow chancellor have rejected the claims, insisting the criticism is unfounded.

Patel is also reportedly being considered for a possible role change.

According to individuals familiar with the discussions, her tenure as Home Secretary is closely linked to the period of high migration levels in the UK, though party officials are said to be exploring other positions she could occupy.

Philp was not originally expected to be affected by the proposed reshuffle, but some party strategists reportedly believe his focus on the role may have diminished.

The anticipated shake-up is also said to be influenced by concerns within the party over the potential defection of rising Conservative figure Katie Lam to Reform UK, the political party led by Nigel Farage.

Lam, regarded by some Conservatives as a promising future leader and occasionally compared with former prime minister David Cameron, is reportedly being closely monitored amid fears she could leave the party.

To prevent such a move, Badenoch is said to be considering elevating Lam to a more prominent role in the planned reshuffle.

Kemi Badenoch plans major shadow cabinet reshuffle amid defection concerns