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Frank Field, Jesse Norman and Meg Hillier elected to chair committees Frank Field, Jesse Norman and Meg Hillier elected to chair committees
(about 1 hour later)
Frank Field, Jesse Norman, Keith Vaz, and Meg Hillier are among the MPs who have been elected to chair departmental select committees, the Speaker, John Bercow, announced on Thursday morning. Frank Field, Jesse Norman, Keith Vaz, and Meg Hillier are among the MPs who have been elected to chair departmental select committees, the Speaker, John Bercow, has announced.
Following the high-profile successes of Margaret Hodge and Andrew Tyrie during the last parliament, many believe that the position of a select committee chair is now arguably more powerful than a junior departmental minister.Following the high-profile successes of Margaret Hodge and Andrew Tyrie during the last parliament, many believe that the position of a select committee chair is now arguably more powerful than a junior departmental minister.
A total of 27 of 35 committee chairs were up for election, of which the Tories were assigned 14, Labour 11 and the SNP two.A total of 27 of 35 committee chairs were up for election, of which the Tories were assigned 14, Labour 11 and the SNP two.
Labour veteran Field, an acknowledged expert in welfare and pensions, will chair the work and pensions committee as ministers face scrutiny over benefit cuts, the introduction of universal credit, pension reform and the way the benefit sanctions regime operates. He beat Kate Green to the post. On Thursday, it was announced Labour veteran Field, an acknowledged expert in welfare and pensions, will chair the work and pensions committee as ministers face scrutiny over benefit cuts, the introduction of universal credit, pension reform and the way the benefit sanctions regime operates. He beat Kate Green to the post.
Among the Tory candidates for culture were Norman, Damian Green, the former Home Office minister, Graham Stuart, former chair of the education select committee and Damian Collins, an existing culture committee member. Norman will now head the committee examining plans to review the funding model of the BBC.Among the Tory candidates for culture were Norman, Damian Green, the former Home Office minister, Graham Stuart, former chair of the education select committee and Damian Collins, an existing culture committee member. Norman will now head the committee examining plans to review the funding model of the BBC.
On the Labour side there was an intriguing battle to depose Vaz, the previous chair of the home affairs committee who has been under pressure over recent allegations that he had obtained a passport for a prominent Indian businessman who was not his constituent. He beat Fiona Mactaggart, a former Home Office minister who had argued for a more collegiate approach. Vaz has denied any wrongdoing. On the Labour side, there was an intriguing battle to depose Vaz, the previous chair of the home affairs committee, who has been under pressure over recent allegations that he had obtained a passport for a prominent Indian businessman who was not his constituent. He beat Fiona Mactaggart, a former Home Office minister who had argued for a more collegiate approach. Vaz has denied any wrongdoing.
The public accounts committee is seen as the premier select committee for an opposition MP, and four Labour MPs wanted the job. Hillier, a rigorous and popular member of the last committee, beat Helen Goodman, David Hanson and Gisela Stuart to the position.The public accounts committee is seen as the premier select committee for an opposition MP, and four Labour MPs wanted the job. Hillier, a rigorous and popular member of the last committee, beat Helen Goodman, David Hanson and Gisela Stuart to the position.
One MP who believes in alternative medicines lost in his bid to become chair of the health select committee. David Tredinnick, who champions the use of homeopathy and herbal remedies on the NHS, failed to depose his fellow Tory Dr Sarah Wollaston, who will keep the post for another five years.One MP who believes in alternative medicines lost in his bid to become chair of the health select committee. David Tredinnick, who champions the use of homeopathy and herbal remedies on the NHS, failed to depose his fellow Tory Dr Sarah Wollaston, who will keep the post for another five years.
The four most contested committees, with five candidates each, were science and technology, justice, foreign affairs and culture, media and sport.The four most contested committees, with five candidates each, were science and technology, justice, foreign affairs and culture, media and sport.
Crispin Blunt, a former Tory justice minister, beat John Baron, Richard Graham, Daniel Kawczynski and Nadhim Zahawi to the role as chair of the foreign affairs select committee.Crispin Blunt, a former Tory justice minister, beat John Baron, Richard Graham, Daniel Kawczynski and Nadhim Zahawi to the role as chair of the foreign affairs select committee.
Three Tories stood to chair the defence select committee. Julian Lewis, an acknowledged defence specialist, beat Richard Benyon, a former environment minister, and Bob Stewart, a former soldier in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, to the post.Three Tories stood to chair the defence select committee. Julian Lewis, an acknowledged defence specialist, beat Richard Benyon, a former environment minister, and Bob Stewart, a former soldier in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, to the post.
Neil Carmichael, the Conservative MP for Stroud, won the election to chair the education committee. Others contesting the election were Tim Loughton, a former education minister and expert on adoption, and Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North.Neil Carmichael, the Conservative MP for Stroud, won the election to chair the education committee. Others contesting the election were Tim Loughton, a former education minister and expert on adoption, and Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North.
Bob Neill beat four fellow Tories to head the justice select committee amid the controversy that surrounds Michael Gove’s new department. As lord chancellor, Gove’s remit includes human rights law, the consequences of legal aid cuts, and prison reform.Bob Neill beat four fellow Tories to head the justice select committee amid the controversy that surrounds Michael Gove’s new department. As lord chancellor, Gove’s remit includes human rights law, the consequences of legal aid cuts, and prison reform.
Stephen Twigg will chair the international development committee. Fellow contenders included Yasmin Qureshi.Stephen Twigg will chair the international development committee. Fellow contenders included Yasmin Qureshi.
Labour’s Adrian Bailey lost in his bid to retain the chair of the business, innovation and skills committee. Iain Wright will chair it for the next five years.Labour’s Adrian Bailey lost in his bid to retain the chair of the business, innovation and skills committee. Iain Wright will chair it for the next five years.
Nicola Blackwood, the Tory MP, will chair the science and technology committee.Nicola Blackwood, the Tory MP, will chair the science and technology committee.
Tyrie was one of eight chairs who were elected unopposed. A total of 621 MPs voted on Wednesday.Tyrie was one of eight chairs who were elected unopposed. A total of 621 MPs voted on Wednesday.