Nigel Huddleston has been appointed shadow culture secretary, replacing fellow former civil society minister Stuart Andrew, as part of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s frontbench reshuffle.
Andrew had served as Badenoch’s first shadow culture secretary since last year’s general election but will now take on the health brief from Edward Argar, who is stepping down due to a “health scare” according to the Melton Times.
Huddleston, who had been co-chairman of the Conservatives since November 2024, said on social media he was “delighted” to become shadow culture secretary, having been civil society minister from February 2020 until September 2022.
“I am passionate about all DCMS sectors and am honoured to have been asked by Kemi to take on this new challenge,” he posted.
Andrew, who succeeded Huddleston as civil society minister from 2022 until the general election, said on social media he was “honoured” to take on the health brief.
“Our NHS and social care services are vital to millions, and I will work tirelessly to hold the government to account and stand up for patients, staff and families across the country,” he said.
“I am also very grateful to my predecessor for his dedicated service in this role, and wish him all the very best for a full and speedy recovery.”
Meanwhile, Louie French remains shadow minister for civil society.
In March, French and Andrew pledged to rekindle the Conservative Party’s relationship with the charity sector.
Then in April, Andrew criticised the government’s “cruel” decision to increase national insurance contributions (NICs) for charities.
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