A Suffolk MP will serve as a shadow minister after being appointed to the cabinet by new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

James Cartlidge, who represents South Suffolk, share he was "incredibly privileged" to take the role.

It is a post he held during Rishi Sunak’s interim Shadow Government following his election defeat.

In a Facebook post, Mr Cartlidge said: “Incredibly privileged to have been asked by Kemi Badenoch to serve as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence in her new Shadow Cabinet.

“I look forward to working with the Government on matters of national interest, especially Ukraine, whilst holding them to account on a pathway to 2.5% [defence spending].”

Mr Cartlidge was elected as South Suffolk MP in 2015 and has since occupied several roles in Government, including defence procurement minister between April 2023 and July 2024.

Mrs Badenoch was announced as the new Conservative party leader on Saturday after defeating Robert Jenrick in a head-to-head for the party members’ vote.

The new leader has been the MP for North West Essex for seven years after winning her seat in the 2017 General Election.

In the last few days she has been appointing those her Shadow Cabinet.

Other appointments include Chris Philp as shadow home secretary, Mel Stride as shadow chancellor, and her election opposite Robert Jenrick as shadow justice secretary.

Suffolk MPs reacted to Miss Badenoch's appointment at the weekend.

Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, had initially backed former security minister Tom Tugenhat but he was knocked out of the contest earlier in the leadership race. 

Mr Spencer said: “I am delighted that Kemi is our new leader. She is perfectly placed to take the fight to Labour and lead the party in to the next general election.

"She is also someone who represents a seat in East Anglia and has the interests of the people in our region close to her heart.”