Reshuffle for the Tories but can it save the party from obscurity?
One of the biggest threats any political party faces is that of slipping into obscurity. It is a fear that is particularly acute when the party in question is the most electorally successful in the democratic world.
Unfortunately, that is the very real challenge that the Conservative Party and its leader Kemi Badenoch must confront.
The Tory leader spent Sunday reshaping her frontbench. Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride was the biggest casualty of the reshuffle, being replaced by Andrew Griffith.
Claire Coutinho, previously the shadow energy secretary, replaced Griffith as shadow business secretary, while Sir Mel joins Tory big beasts Dame Priti Patel and Sir James Cleverly on the back benches amid the ongoing shake-up.
Dame Priti was replaced as shadow foreign secretary by Tom Tugendhat. While Sir James announced on Saturday he will stand down as shadow housing secretary to take a run at the Tory candidacy for London mayor.
The problem for Badenoch is that regardless of how she reshuffles the pack, the Tories are struggling to cut through. Like the manager of a struggling football team, whatever side she puts out, it is currently destined to be beat.
It’s not all Badenoch’s fault. She inherited a party in disarray and her attempts to stabilise the Tories has to be acknowledged.
But the reality is that unless the Tories start landing decisive blows on the Government, the spectre of Reform UK will leave it fully submerged in the shadows. Badenoch will be hoping that the latest roll of the dice results in a change of fortunes.