Tory big-hitters have been axed from the party’s frontbench team in a brutal reshuffle by Kemi Badenoch.

Former cabinet ministers Mel Stride and Priti Patel have both been sacked by the Conservative leader.

Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew was also ousted as Badenoch shook up her top team amid speculation Andy Burnham could call a snap election.

In a surprise move, Patel announced on X that she was leaving her post as shadow foreign secretary to take on an “international role” strengthening the Tories’ links with other centre-right parties around the world.

Stride’s sacking as shadow chancellor is a surprise as he had recently bolstered his backroom team with three new advisers. He has been replaced by shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith.

Badenoch said: “Like Priti, Mel came into the job at an exceptionally difficult point for the Conservative Party.

“He brought experience, seriousness and stability when those things were badly needed. He helped us steady the ship, rebuild economic credibility and become an effective opposition, and I am genuinely grateful for his contribution.”

A senior Tory source said Badenoch wanted a new approach to the party’s economic policy.

“Kemi is changing the way the Conservative Party approaches economic policy and creating a new economic leadership team for the next phase, focused on growth, higher living standards and fiscal credibility,” the source said.

“The team will be led by Andrew Griffith, a no-nonsense, pro-growth shadow chancellor with real business experience.”

Claire Coutinho, who is currently on maternity leave, is being moved from the shadow energy portfolio to become shadow business secretary and Griffith’s number two.

A Tory source said: “Andrew and Kemi are in complete lockstep on how we back business, bring down taxes and regulation and get Britain working again.”

In a post on X, Stride said: “The Conservative party must continue to champion an approach which is both radical and deliverable.

“It is essential that the next Conservative government does things very differently, backing business like never before and getting government out of the way.

“The Conservatives have a good story to tell on this now and one that I know will continue to grow stronger and stronger under Kemi’s leadership. I am now looking forward to continuing to make a real contribution to the Conservative team in parliament and beyond, to build and amplify our vision for Britain, from the backbenches.”

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