James Cleverly appointed Shadow Housing Secretary

Sir James Cleverly has been appointed Shadow Housing Secretary by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.  

Replacing Kevin Hollinrake, the appointment sees Cleverly return to the front benches after a period of absence after failing to win the Tory leadership in October last year. 

While in Government, Cleverly served as both Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and Education Secretary, under three different Prime Ministers.  

Scrapping stamp duty 

During his campaign for the leadership of the Conservative party, he outlined his housing strategy, arguing that stamp duty should be scrapped as it ‘stifles transactions in the housing market’.  

He has also talked about the importance of building more homes, as well as building up, on top of older houses in cities.  

The appointment will see him go head-to-head with Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary.  

NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle said: “We congratulate the new Shadow Housing Secretary on his appointment at what is a seminal moment for the private rented sector.   

“We are committed to working alongside politicians from all sides of the house to develop policies that will ensure the rental market is fair and workable for tenants and responsible landlords, whilst tackling the supply crisis that is leaving tenants struggling to find a place to live.”  

Photo credit: James Cleverly ©House of Commons/Laurie Noble