In a move that has absolutely no chance of confusing anyone, Tom Tugendhat is set to become the shadow foreign secretary, replacing Dame Priti Patel. The BBC has been told that the former Tory leadership contender will return to the Conservative front bench when Kemi Badenoch reshuffles her team next month. The Daily Telegraph got the scoop first, because of course they did.

Dame Priti, who finished sixth in the leadership election, announced on social media that she's leaving the front bench for a new role focused on strengthening 'links with sister parties and centre right movements around the world.' That's right: she's going to be the Tories' global ambassador for being conservative, or something. She'll continue to serve as the MP for Witham in Essex, so at least she's keeping her day job.

This all comes after shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly resigned to run for London mayor, which is a bit like leaving a sinking ship to board a slightly different sinking ship. Tugendhat, a former British Army reserve and Territorial Army officer, has been vocal on international affairs and security, which is probably helpful for a foreign secretary role. He previously served as security minister under both Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, and before that chaired the Foreign Affairs Select Committee for five years.

Dame Priti's statement on X read: 'It has been an honour to lead the Party's foreign affairs team in Parliament over the last two years. I'm pleased to continue supporting Kemi and the Conservative Party in a new role strengthening our relationships with fellow conservatives and centre right parties around the world.' Because nothing says 'team player' like leaving your post for a nebulous international role.

Meanwhile, the reshuffle was already expected due to shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho's upcoming maternity leave. There's been speculation that shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride could lose his job, though party insiders have downplayed that. Still, some sources believe Badenoch might replace him. Coutinho is seen as a likely future shadow chancellor, having impressed colleagues with her parliamentary and media performances, but it's unlikely she'll get the job while on leave. Because that would make sense.

And Badenoch still needs to replace Cleverly as shadow housing secretary. Cleverly hasn't been selected as the party's candidate for the May 2028 London mayoral election, nor has he resigned as MP for Braintree. So he's in a sort of political limbo, waiting to see if he gets to run for a job that might not exist in a few years. Good luck with that.