Former housing minister named Conservative Party chairman

Lewis was appointed housing and planning minister in July 2014 by then PM David Cameron.

Former housing minister named Conservative Party chairman

Former housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis has been named as the new Conservative Party Chairman.

Lewis (pictured) replaces former chairmanSir Patrick McLoughlin after he was ditched from the role.

The move comes as part of an ongoing reshuffle which is expected to see around half a dozen Cabinet ministers move positions or be sacked today ahead of a wider overhaul of the junior ministerial team tomorrow.

Transport Minister Chris Grayling had been strongly linked with the job before the appointment.

And Conservative Party HQ even went as far as announcing Grayling in the role before backtracking and confirming Lewis instead.

Other announcements are set to follow but the four top jobs in the Cabinet – chancellor, home secretary, defence secretary and foreign secretary – will not be be changed as part of the shake-up.

Lewis was appointed housing and planning minister in July 2014 by then PM David Cameron.

He served in the role for the next two years and oversaw the bringing together of the Housing and Planning together portfolios before moving to the Home Office.

The role of chairman will see Lewis take responsibility for party administration, oversee the Conservative Campaign Headquarters and join the Cabinet as a minister without portfolio.