Sir Grant Shapps, a stalwart of the Conservative Party with a storied past, has been told he won't be standing as a parliamentary candidate for his former party in the next general election. The decision to deny him this opportunity is a significant indicator of the seismic shift taking place under Kemi Badenoch's leadership.
Badenoch, speaking candidly with the BBC about her vision for the party's future, declared that she leads "a brand new party full of new people," highlighting a deliberate break from the past. She sidestepped specific questions on individual applications but underscored the comprehensive overhaul underway, citing the need to address "policies, people, and process" in order to meet new standards and learn from past mistakes.
The 2024 general election loss of over 250 seats serves as a stark reminder for the party, with Badenoch framing this setback as a catalyst for change. For Sir Grant, who has held no fewer than nine ministerial positions during his tenure in government – including stints as Home Secretary, Defence Secretary, and Transport Secretary – this news is particularly noteworthy. Additionally, he co-chaired the Conservative Party and was knighted in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list, having represented Welwyn Hatfield from 2005 until his defeat to Labour's Andrew Lewin in 2024.
Badenoch has outlined specific policy "red lines" for prospective candidates, including a commitment to abandon net-zero carbon policies and withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights. Although it is unclear whether Sir Grant disagreed with these stances, Badenoch stressed that alignment with the party's new direction is paramount for candidates seeking to represent the Conservatives.
Internal dissent surrounding this decision has not been absent, with a source close to the party describing it as "a reflection of Kemi's temperament," drawing an analogy with North Korea's purges. However, Badenoch remains resolute in her commitment to unveiling new candidates shortly who embody the transformed Conservative vision.
Sir Grant's role as co-chair of Conservatives Together – a group dedicated to supporting and representing Conservative candidates – adds another layer of intrigue to his rejection by the party. The push for fresh faces and policies marks a pivotal moment in the party's efforts to rebuild public trust following its ousting from government in 2024.