Kemi Badenoch used the Bank Holiday weekend to launch a major reshuffle of her shadow cabinet as the Conservatives get battle-ready for an early election.

As Prime Minister Andy Burnham returned to Westminster at the end of the summer recess today, Ms Badenoch unveiled a new front bench.

Her ruthless reshuffle saw Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride sacked, with former Treasury minister Andrew Griffith promoted into the role, and Dame Priti Patel replaced as Shadow Foreign Secretary by Tom Tugendhat.

There is growing speculation Mr Burnham could call an early election as he faces a grim economic reality which includes soaring costs of government debt. 

Ms Badenoch said Labour's manifesto blocked the PM from putting up 'the taxes he wishes to pursue his agenda', and warned he could call a snap election. 

But do you think the Tory party is now battle-ready? Vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll: 

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Harry and Meghan become working royals again? ' Out of more than 46,000 votes, six per cent of you said 'yes' and 94 per cent said 'no.'