Badenoch set to axe Priti Patel and Mel Stride in major Tory reshuffle expected on Tuesday

Badenoch's personal approval rating has climbed to 38 per cent, yet more than a quarter of her own Tory voters say the party has yet to learn from the last election.

Patel has reportedly become a "fringe figure" in Badenoch's shadow cabinet, while Stride faces criticism that the party needs someone "more robust" running Treasury policy.

Kemi Badenoch is preparing her most significant shadow cabinet reshuffle yet, due on Tuesday, with both Priti Patel as shadow foreign secretary and Mel Stride as shadow chancellor expected to lose their posts. The departure of James Cleverly to focus on the London mayoralty race has set the shake-up in motion, opening the door to a wider clear-out. One source described Patel as "a fringe figure" who has drifted from the inner circle, adding that Badenoch needs "someone more robust running Treasury policy." Andrew Griffith is seen as the leading candidate to replace Stride if he is moved.

The shadow home secretary Chris (name cut off in sources) and Helen Grant as shadow solicitor general are also set to go, broadening the scope of the reshuffle further.

Tory donor Lord Cruddas, who made £750m this year, has said he will withhold backing from Badenoch unless she "cleanses" the party of its liberal wing.

Cruddas warns Badenoch is "surrounded by people that are not really stepping forward" — a verdict likely to harden her resolve to act.

The IndependentKemi Badenoch’s major shadow cabinet reshuffle – what we know The IndependentTwo key Tory names under threat as Kemi Badenoch prepares for major reshuffle The TelegraphLord Cruddas: Badenoch must cleanse the Tories to win power

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